NCT06531694

Unravelling the Interplay of Weight Stigma and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 800 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Monash University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this prospective cohort study is to investigate the contribution of stigma and discrimination due to body size to adverse pregnancy outcomes. We also aim to explore the role of psychological and social factors in this relationship. The specific objectives of this study are: Objective 1: Explore weight stigma as a mediator of the association between BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Objective 2: Explore confounding factors not previously considered such as weight cycling, trauma, eating disorders, and internalised weight bias as mediators in the relationship between obesity and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Detailed description

The specific research questions for each objective are: Objective 1 RQ1.1: Does weight stigma experienced during pregnancy in a healthcare setting reported up to 34 weeks gestation mediate the association between pre-pregnancy obesity (BMI ≥30) and gestational diabetes mellitis (GDM) (primary outcome)? RQ1.2: Does weight stigma experienced during pregnancy in a healthcare setting reported up to 34 weeks gestation mediate the association between pre-pregnancy obesity (BMI ≥30) and (i) induction of labour; (iv) mode of birth; (ii) gestational hypertension (any); (iii) infant birth weight; and (iv) establishment of breastfeeding by 6 weeks postpartum (secondary outcomes)? Objective 2: RQ2.1: Do weight cycling, history of trauma, history of eating disorders, and internalised weight bias explain any of the variance in the mediation relationships described above?

Conditions

• Weight Stigma
• Pregnancy Outcomes
• Overweight and Obesity

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-06-01
• Primary completion: 2027-12-01
• Completion: 2028-12-01
• First posted: 2024-08-01
• Last updated: 2026-02-04