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Weight Stigma in Pregnancy: A Narrative Review of Consequences, Drivers, and Potential Solutions

Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This narrative review summarises current knowledge of weight stigma in pregnancy including consequences, drivers, and potential solutions. RECENT FINDINGS: Weight stigma in pregnancy has negative physical, psychosocial, and behavioural sequelae for mothers and their infants. It is an equity issue that compounds disadvantage experienced by marginalised communities. A focus on gestational weight gain in maternity care, particularly for women with a high body mass index has created an environment that perpetuates implicit and explicit weight stigma, negatively impacting women's care. The community, family members, and media are also key weight stigma perpetrators. This stigma pervades societal norms, influencing healthcare environments, practice, and policy. Tackling weight stigma in maternity care requires a shift from weight-centric, stigmatising approaches to more weight-inclusive, woman-centred, and holistic health-focused care. This should be supported by approaches addressing societal and cultural norms and policy change, ultimately leading to improvements in the health and wellbeing of women during pregnancy and beyond.
DOI: 10.1007/s13679-026-00772-x
Authors: Briony Hill, Haimanot Hailu, Bec Jenkinson, Ahlia Griffiths, Emma Davidsen, Jodie Dodd, Megan Mitchell, Leonie Callaway, Lauren Kearney, Helen Skouteris
Institutions: Monash University, The University of Queensland, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide University, The University of Adelaide, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Warwick
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,790
OpenAlex ID: W7223682158
FWCI:
Cites: 100
Cited by:
Related to: 10