Volodymyr HryshchenkoA study conducted by Taniya Nagpal, an assistant professor in the faculty of kinesiology, sport, and recreation, showed that comments on weight can hinder women from meeting nutrition and physical activity recommendations.
Comments on weight often foster weight stigma. Nagpal’s study classifies this as “negative misconceptions and stereotypes associated with weight.”
The link between weight comments and healthy habits is rooted in motivation, according to Nagpal. When those closest to a pregnant or postpartum woman encourage her to facilitate healthy behaviours, she is more likely to do so.
However, if that same network is making judgmental remarks, the inverse effect occurs and demotivates women from trying to achieve healthy behaviours.
“Our most recent study found that those women who reported receiving more judgmental weight-related remarks from close others had a lower adherence to physical activity and nutrition recommendations,” Nagpal explained.
Women may also directly internalize weight stigma ideals by believing in the remarks and applying them to their lives. Nagpal said this can lower motivation to partake in healthy habits due to shame, lack of social support, and maladaptive coping behaviours.
These comments can also impair relationships and weaken support systems. Pregnant or postpartum women may avoid those who comment on their weight. “A common example was women not sharing their diagnosis of gestational diabetes with a loved one because they didn’t want them to judge their eating habits,” said Nagpal.
Everyday “harmless” comments can reinforce weight stigma
Remarks are often given in health-care environments and from those in the woman’s social network, according to Nagpal. Examples of comments that perpetuate weight stigma include the assumption that those with larger bodies are not participating in healthy habits. Assuming that a mother’s body shape is synonymous with how well she takes care of her child is also common.
“Oftentimes, the stigmatizing remarks that women share are things like someone commenting on how much weight you’ve gained or how little weight you’ve gained,” explained Nagpal.
There are many pre-existing conceptions of what a pregnant or postpartum woman should look like. Due to this, close friends and family may feel comfortable commenting on women’s bodies
Comments that reinforce weight stigma may even be unintentional. “It’s important to reflect on where your positive comment is really coming from,” said Nagpal. Comments like “you don’t even look pregnant” still suggest that gaining weight during pregnancy is bad.
Being smaller is commonly idolized through weight stigma comments, despite weight gain being a natural part of pregnancy. The media often fosters this by failing to include diversity and showcase women of different sizes engaging in healthy habits.
“We need to stop being judgmental about pregnant women’s bodies and acknowledge that what they’re doing is challenging,” said Nagpal. “It’s inspiring and it’s hard.”
