Journal article
Prenatal Body Image: Association with Disordered Eating Behaviors and Depressive Symptoms Across Pregnancy
Journal of women's health (Larchmont, N.Y. 2002), Vol.34(12), pp.1508-1517
12/2025
DOI: 10.1177/15409996251371098
PMCID: PMC13224147
PMID: 40916778
Abstract
Background: Disordered eating behaviors and depressive symptoms can be problematic during pregnancy for both the individual and their offspring. Our study aimed to determine the extent to which body image dissatisfaction early in pregnancy predicts eating disorder behaviors and/or depressive symptoms across pregnancy.
Methods: Participants (N = 253) completed self-report assessments of depressive and eating disorder symptoms alongside the modified Body Image in Pregnancy Scale in their first, second, and third trimesters. Latent trajectory modeling was used to examine eating disorder behaviors and depressive symptoms across time.
Results: Latent trajectory modeling demonstrated that body image—namely, Preoccupation with Body Size, Preoccupation with Attractiveness, and Dissatisfaction with Strength, Tone, and Flexibility—significantly predicted both disordered eating and depressive symptoms in the third trimester, even when controlling for body mass index, eating pathology symptoms, and depressive symptoms in the first trimester. Change in Dissatisfaction with Strength, Tone, and Flexibility across pregnancy also significantly predicted third-trimester disordered eating (b = 0.41, standard error [SE] = 0.12, p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (b = 0.40, SE = 0.12, p = 0.001).
Conclusions: Although depressive symptoms are often assessed during prenatal care, disordered eating behaviors during pregnancy are often missed. While it is unknown how many participants met criteria for an eating disorder or major depressive disorder given only self-report measures were utilized rather than clinical interviews, this study suggests that assessing body image concerns early during the first trimester could help to identify individuals who may benefit from psychological treatment during pregnancy.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Prenatal Body Image: Association with Disordered Eating Behaviors and Depressive Symptoms Across Pregnancy
- Creators
- Michelle L Miller - University of IowaMargaret H Drake - Marian University - IndianaEmily B K Thomas - University of IowaKristen G Riedle - University of IowaMichael W O'Hara - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of women's health (Larchmont, N.Y. 2002), Vol.34(12), pp.1508-1517
- DOI
- 10.1177/15409996251371098
- PMID
- 40916778
- PMCID
- PMC13224147
- NLM abbreviation
- J Womens Health (Larchmt)
- ISSN
- 1540-9996
- eISSN
- 1931-843X
- Publisher
- MARY ANN LIEBERT, INC
- Grant note
- University of IowaEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health: K23HD115845
Support was provided by the University of Iowa Presidential Ballard-Seashore Dissertation Fellowship and departmental support. Research reported in this publication was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number K23HD115845. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 09/05/2025
- Date published
- 12/2025
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences
- Record Identifier
- 9984962544402771
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