MONASH University revealed that for women in the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum (PPP) stages, weight stigma can be particularly severe, driven by societal expectations around weight and body image.
This discrimination can harm physical and mental health, leading to stress, avoidance of healthcare, and unhealthy behaviours for women.
To address this, Monash's researchers developed SWIPE (Stigma of Weight In the PPP Experience), a model designed to identify and address the sources of stigma, with the goal of promoting equitable care and better mental health.
The study, led by Dr Briony Hill and PhD candidate Haimanot Hailu, was published in Health Psychology Review.
Hailu said,"eliminating weight stigma against PPP women, both directly and indirectly, improves psychological wellbeing, ensures equitable access to care, and encourages healthier behaviours - all of which contribute to improvement in the overall physical and mental health outcomes of PPP women and their children".
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