Pregnant and postpartum women’s experiences of weight stigma in healthcare
Abstract Background Weight stigma is a societal phenomenon that is very prevalent in healthcare, precipitating poor patient-provider relationships, discontinuity of care, and delayed cancer screening. Little research, though, has investigated weight stigma in prenatal and postpartum healthcare. To a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-020-03202-5 |
| _version_ | 1818319093105688576 |
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| author | Angela C. Incollingo Rodriguez Stephanie M. Smieszek Kathryn E. Nippert A. Janet Tomiyama |
| author_facet | Angela C. Incollingo Rodriguez Stephanie M. Smieszek Kathryn E. Nippert A. Janet Tomiyama |
| author_sort | Angela C. Incollingo Rodriguez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Weight stigma is a societal phenomenon that is very prevalent in healthcare, precipitating poor patient-provider relationships, discontinuity of care, and delayed cancer screening. Little research, though, has investigated weight stigma in prenatal and postpartum healthcare. To address this gap, this study examined the prevalence and frequency of weight-stigmatizing experiences in prenatal and postpartum healthcare. Methods 501 pregnant and postpartum women responded to an online survey where they reported whether they had experienced weight stigma in prenatal or postpartum healthcare and, if so, how frequently. Participants also responded to questions about how providers had treated them regarding their weight and their reactions to these experiences. A subset of participants (n = 80) also provided examples of their experiences, and these were subjected to a thematic analysis and coded for overarching themes. Results Nearly 1 in 5 women (n = 92) reported experiencing weight stigma in healthcare settings. Percentages differed by BMI, with 28.4% of participants with pre-pregnancy obesity endorsing healthcare providers as a source of weight stigma. Experiences occurred between “less than once a month” and “a few times a month.” Obstetricians were the most commonly-reported source (33.8%), followed by nurses (11.3%). Participants reported feeling judged, shamed, and guilty because of their weight during healthcare visits. Additionally, 37 participants (7.7%) reported having changed providers because of treatment regarding their weight. Many also reported that they expected to feel or had felt uncomfortable seeking help with breastfeeding from a healthcare professional. Finally, thematic analysis of the open-ended examples identified four key themes: (1) negative attitudes and unkind or disrespectful treatment from providers; (2) evaluative comments about their weight; (3) healthcare providers focusing on their high-risk status and potential negative consequences (often when birth outcomes were ultimately healthy); and (4) inappropriate or demeaning comments. Conclusions Weight stigma may be a common experience in pregnancy and postpartum healthcare. Providers need additional training to avoid stigmatizing their patients and inadvertently undermining patient-provider relationships, quality of care, and health outcomes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T10:03:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8ad84018c66a481cb80d09d5711b0a3c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2393 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T10:03:38Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| spelling | doaj.art-8ad84018c66a481cb80d09d5711b0a3c2022-12-21T23:51:36ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932020-08-0120111010.1186/s12884-020-03202-5Pregnant and postpartum women’s experiences of weight stigma in healthcareAngela C. Incollingo Rodriguez0Stephanie M. Smieszek1Kathryn E. Nippert2A. Janet Tomiyama3Department of Social Science and Policy Studies, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteDepartment of Social Science and Policy Studies, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteDepartment of Social Science and Policy Studies, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteDepartment of Psychology, University of CaliforniaAbstract Background Weight stigma is a societal phenomenon that is very prevalent in healthcare, precipitating poor patient-provider relationships, discontinuity of care, and delayed cancer screening. Little research, though, has investigated weight stigma in prenatal and postpartum healthcare. To address this gap, this study examined the prevalence and frequency of weight-stigmatizing experiences in prenatal and postpartum healthcare. Methods 501 pregnant and postpartum women responded to an online survey where they reported whether they had experienced weight stigma in prenatal or postpartum healthcare and, if so, how frequently. Participants also responded to questions about how providers had treated them regarding their weight and their reactions to these experiences. A subset of participants (n = 80) also provided examples of their experiences, and these were subjected to a thematic analysis and coded for overarching themes. Results Nearly 1 in 5 women (n = 92) reported experiencing weight stigma in healthcare settings. Percentages differed by BMI, with 28.4% of participants with pre-pregnancy obesity endorsing healthcare providers as a source of weight stigma. Experiences occurred between “less than once a month” and “a few times a month.” Obstetricians were the most commonly-reported source (33.8%), followed by nurses (11.3%). Participants reported feeling judged, shamed, and guilty because of their weight during healthcare visits. Additionally, 37 participants (7.7%) reported having changed providers because of treatment regarding their weight. Many also reported that they expected to feel or had felt uncomfortable seeking help with breastfeeding from a healthcare professional. Finally, thematic analysis of the open-ended examples identified four key themes: (1) negative attitudes and unkind or disrespectful treatment from providers; (2) evaluative comments about their weight; (3) healthcare providers focusing on their high-risk status and potential negative consequences (often when birth outcomes were ultimately healthy); and (4) inappropriate or demeaning comments. Conclusions Weight stigma may be a common experience in pregnancy and postpartum healthcare. Providers need additional training to avoid stigmatizing their patients and inadvertently undermining patient-provider relationships, quality of care, and health outcomes.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-020-03202-5Maternal healthMaternal obesityOBGYNPrenatal healthcarePostpartum healthcareWeight stigma |
| spellingShingle | Angela C. Incollingo Rodriguez Stephanie M. Smieszek Kathryn E. Nippert A. Janet Tomiyama Pregnant and postpartum women’s experiences of weight stigma in healthcare BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Maternal health Maternal obesity OBGYN Prenatal healthcare Postpartum healthcare Weight stigma |
| title | Pregnant and postpartum women’s experiences of weight stigma in healthcare |
| title_full | Pregnant and postpartum women’s experiences of weight stigma in healthcare |
| title_fullStr | Pregnant and postpartum women’s experiences of weight stigma in healthcare |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pregnant and postpartum women’s experiences of weight stigma in healthcare |
| title_short | Pregnant and postpartum women’s experiences of weight stigma in healthcare |
| title_sort | pregnant and postpartum women s experiences of weight stigma in healthcare |
| topic | Maternal health Maternal obesity OBGYN Prenatal healthcare Postpartum healthcare Weight stigma |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-020-03202-5 |
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