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

Abstract

Background: Episodes of loss of control over eating during pregnancy affect up to 36% of women during this period. Many women experience natural concerns about weight gain and body-shape changes during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and food cravings and fluctuations in eating patterns during these periods are physiological phenomena. However, pregnancy and the postpartum period may be an additional determinant of eating disorders. Women who perceive their own bodies as significantly deviating from the presented ideal are more likely to experience anxiety/anxiety related to it and also tend to exhibit abnormal eating behaviors. The perception of one’s body figure also plays an important role in maintaining psychological balance Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the perception of body image by postpartum women. The essence of the study was to see if there were psychomarkers associated with lack of control over eating, food restriction, and emotionally motivated eating in the study population. Material and methods: The study was conducted during the fall and winter of 2021. A total of 288 women participated in the study. The age of the subjects ranged from 21 to 45 years. Results: It was found that 198 women (68.8%) were dissatisfied with their current body weight and figure. Respondents with higher post-pregnancy body mass index showed dissatisfaction with their body shape (49.8%; H = 13.042; p = 0.001). Both body satisfaction and BMI level were significant components of the occurrence of pathological phenomena associated with the TFEQ-13 subscales (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Excessive focus on food restriction as well as lack of control over eating had some association with negative self-perception of body image, mainly in the form of body weight dissatisfaction. Eating behaviors showed an association with BMI level and weight satisfaction after pregnancy.