Body Satisfaction During Pregnancy: The Role of Health-Related Habit Strength

Abstract

Objectives Body satisfaction during pregnancy is an important determinant of maternal and fetal health outcomes. It is therefore critical to investigate factors related to changes in body satisfaction and to elucidate how body satisfaction changes over time in pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between two novel factors (i.e., healthy eating habit strength and physical activity habit strength) and body satisfaction during pregnancy. Methods Participants (n = 67 pregnant North American women) completed online questionnaires at the beginning of their second trimester (Time 1) and at the end of pregnancy. Maternal characteristics, relationship satisfaction, self-esteem, and psychological distress were assessed at Time 1 and habit strength, body satisfaction, and weight were assessed at both time points. Results Strength of healthy eating and physical activity habits remained stable over time and body satisfaction decreased over time. Healthy eating habit strength at Time 1 predicted increases in body satisfaction from the second trimester to the end of pregnancy, even when controlling for gestational weight gain. Conclusions This study suggests that health-related habit strength in women of reproductive age may offer protection against low levels of body satisfaction during pregnancy.