Perception of the Body Image in Women after Childbirth and the Specific Determinants of Their Eating Behavior: Cross-Sectional Study (Silesia, Poland)

Experiential avoidance, thought suppression, meta-cognition, and body-checking among women during pregnancy and postpartum: Buffering effect of self-compassion

OBJECTIVE

The present study attempted to explore the psychological experiences of experiential avoidance, thought suppression, meta-cognition, self-compassion and body-checking during two stages of maternity (pregnancy and postpartum) among women embracing maternity for the first time.

METHODS

The study used a cross sectional correlational design and enrolled 306 women participants who were in their third trimester of pregnancy or of postpartum (pregnant = 154 [50.3%]; postpartum = 152 [49.7%]) with ages ranging between 20 and 35 years (M = 26.62; SD = 2.19). The data was collected using the Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ); Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ); Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ); Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and Body-checking Questionnaire (BCQ). Data was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 21.

RESULTS

A significant positive association was observed between experiential avoidance, thought suppression, meta-cognition, and body-checking while self-compassion showed reverse association with these variables. The body-checking outcome was significantly negatively predicted by self-compassionate attitude and positively by thought suppression in both groups (i.e., pregnant and postpartum). The experiential avoidance positively predicted body-checking among women in post-partum group only. Moreover, a mediating association of experiential avoidance and a moderating effect of self-compassion (self-kindness and common humanity) and meta-cognition (positive beliefs about worry and need to control thought) were also observed to moderate between thought suppression and body-checking outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The study concluded that experiential avoidance and thought suppression contribute in developing body-checking behaviors among women who are pregnant or at postpartum stage of maternity. In addition, self-compassion and meta-cognition moderate this association with self-compassion playing potential buffer.

Women's perceptions of body mass graphics and their preferences for weight counselling

Health care providers may lack data-driven guidance about best practises for discussing weight. We assessed women's self-perception of body mass index (BMI) and preferences for weight counselling by provider characteristics and the initiating question. A voluntary, anonymous survey was completed by 756 women (age ≥ 19 year) at our tertiary care obstetrics and gynaecology clinics in autumn 2021. The respondents' height and weight were collected before respondents selected graphics from a validated Body Image Scale that they felt best represented their current body size and which graphs should prompt weight loss or gain recommendations. Respondents were asked their preferences about provider characteristics for discussion about weight and to identify which of six initiating questions from a provider was most and least preferred. Blank responses were allowed. In 708 responses, 366 women (52%) selected the most accurate graphic that corresponded to their BMI; the selected graphic represented a lower than actual BMI in 268 women (38%) and higher in 74 women (10%). In 648 responses, 374 women (58%) preferred a female provider, but provider body shape, ethnicity/race and age were not important to most women. The most preferred question to initiate a discussion about weight was "A lot of women have trouble achieving or maintaining a healthy weight; is that something we can discuss?" in 181 of 555 women (33%), and the least preferred question was "Do you feel like you are at an appropriate weight?" in 172 of 554 women (31%). Provider knowledge about patient preferences regarding questions may facilitate the discussion about weight.

The relationship between women's mode of delivery, body image, self-respect, and genital self-image

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Many factors affect women's genital self-image. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between women's mode of delivery, body image, self-esteem, and genital self-image.

METHODS

The research was carried out in two public hospitals between 15 January 2022 and 30 June 2022. The study sample consisted of a total of 197 multiparous women in the early postpartum period. They were asked to fill out a Personal Information Form, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Body-Esteem Scale (BES), and the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS), based on self-report. The Chi-squared, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were used.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 49.50% had a vaginal delivery, and 50.50% had a cesarean section. Their mean scores were 0.64 ± 0.62 on the RSES, 155.01 ± 24.40 on the BIS, and 20.97 ± 4.39 on the FGSIS. As the women's age increased, their mean FGSIS score also increased. There was negative correlation between women's mean RSES and FGSIS scores. A positive, significant correlation was found between the mean FGSIS and BES scores of the women. Of the variables included in the multiple linear regression model, age, self-esteem, and body image were statistically significant predictors 19.5% of the FGSIS score (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Mode of delivery was not a predictor of female genital self-image in the early postpartum period. Women with high self-esteem had a positive body image and genital self-image. Age, self-esteem, and body image were influential on female genital self-image. On the other hand, age, self-esteem, and body image predicted about 19.5% of female genital self-image according to multiple linear regression.

Sex differences in frailty among older adults

By definition, aging is a natural, gradual and continuous process. On the other hand, frailty reflects the increase in vulnerability to stressors and shortens the time without disease (health span) while longevity refers to the length of life (lifespan). The average life expectancy has significantly increased during the last few decades. A longer lifespan has been accompanied by an increase in frailty and decreased independence in older adults, with major differences existing between men and women. For example, women tend to live longer than men but also experience higher rates of frailty and disability. Sex differences prevent optimization of lifestyle interventions and therapies to effectively prevent frailty. Sex differences in frailty and aging are rooted in a complex interplay between uncontrollable (genetic, epigenetic, physiological), and controllable factors (psychosocial and lifestyle factors). Thus, understanding the underlying causes of sex differences in frailty and aging is essential for developing personalized interventions to promote healthy aging and improve quality of life in older men and women. In this review, we have discussed the key contributors and knowledge gaps related to sex differences in aging and frailty.

Pregorexia: a systematic review and meta-analysis on the constructs of body image dissatisfaction and eating disturbances by gestational age in the peripartum

PURPOSE

Pregorexia is a phenomenon posited to occur in the peripartum, characterized by an attempt to counter pregnancy's physiological changes in body shape through reduced calorie intake or increased physical activity.

METHODS

In this pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis, body image dissatisfaction and eating psychopathology in the peripartum according to gestational age were formally assessed. PubMed was searched up to May 2023. Selection criteria were represented by studies on body image concerns or eating psychopathology in the peripartum (up to 1 year after delivery). The population needed to include women from the general population or among patients with a history of (or current) eating disorder. For the meta-analysis, 17 studies were included: 10 for body image dissatisfaction (2625 individuals overall), 7 for eating behaviors (2551 individuals overall). The interplay between body image and the following themes was examined in depth: the adoption of breastfeeding, peripartum depression, sociocultural influences on body image, sexual disturbances, experiencing or reporting an altered food intake.

RESULTS

Progressive dissatisfaction with body image during pregnancy by gestational age was observed, stably elevated for at least 12 months postpartum. Eating psychopathology was observed as elevated only at 12 months in the postpartum, but not during pregnancy.

DISCUSSION

The current work offers normative values of body image satisfaction and eating psychopathology in the peripartum by gestational age. The relevance of current results was discussed, in order to inform both current clinical practice and future public policies.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I-Evidence obtained from: systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Body Composition and Its Perception among Professional Female Volleyball Players and Fitness Athletes (Silesia, Poland)

Female athletes experience both sociocultural and sport-specific pressures of an ideal body and appearance and are vulnerable to dissatisfaction with their bodies. Among sport-specific pressures, the type of sport is a predictor of body image dissatisfaction. The study included 150 females: 50 volleyball players, 50 bodybuilding and fitness athletes, and 50 female students, who were the control group. Body composition and perception and evaluation of one's own body were assessed. BMI was similar in the study group of female athletes and the control group, but the bodybuilding and fitness athletes had the lowest body fat, while the control group had the highest. Perception of one's own body in the aspect of the evaluation of specific body parts was highest among bodybuilding and fitness athletes, while in the aspect of body condition, the best results were obtained by volleyball players. Most female volleyball players were dissatisfied with their current body weight, as were women in the control group, in contrast to female bodybuilding and fitness athletes, who were most often satisfied with their current body weight.