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

Not yet recruiting
Conditions
Weight Stigma
Overweight and Obesity
Pregnancy Outcomes
Registration Number
NCT06531694
Lead Sponsor
Monash University
Brief 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?

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
800
Inclusion Criteria
  • Pregnant between 10-22 weeks' gestation
  • Greater or equal than 18 years of age
  • Booked to give birth at Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital or Royal Women's and Children's Brisbane
  • Access to the Internet to complete the survey
  • Consents to the extraction of hospital electronic medical record data about the woman and relevant to the study.
  • Ability to read and understand English
Exclusion Criteria
  • Pregnant with multiple gestation
  • Insufficient English language skills to consent and complete the questionnaires.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Proportion of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitis by 34 weeks gestation34 weeks

Measuring the number of women reporting a diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitis by 34 weeks gestation as assessed via self-reported measures and chart review.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Proportion of women experiencing induction of labour6 weeks postpartum

Identifying whether the woman's labour was spontaneous or induced measured via a self-reported questionnaire.

Infant birth weight (in grams) reported by mothers for their most recent infant6 weeks postpartum

Infant birth weight (in grams) reported by mothers based on their most recent baby's birth certificate or hospital discharge summary information.

Proportion of women reporting each mode of birth (i.e., vaginal birth, caesarean section, assisted vaginal birth, or other)6 weeks postpartum

Identifying the mode of birth assessed via a self-reported questionnaire. Options are: vaginal birth, caesarean section, assisted vaginal birth (e.g., with forceps), or other.

Proportion of women who reported experiencing gestational hypertension in their most recent pregnancy6 weeks postpartum

Identifying the proportion of women who reported a diagnosis of gestational hypertension during their most recent pregnancy via a self-reported questionnaire.

Proportion of women currently breastfeeding their infant reported by mothers at 6-weeks postpartum6 weeks postpartum

The proportion of women currently breastfeeding their infant (yes/no) reported by mothers at 6-weeks postpartum

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