Study finds 3 in 4 new moms struggle with body image

By Stephen Beech

Three in four new moms struggle with their body image, according to new research.

Many feel intense pressure to “bounce back” to their pre-pregnancy shape soon after giving birth, the findings reveal.

The pressure can even trigger eating disorders for the first time, warn researchers.

A major review shows the struggles are not just personal - they are shaped by partners, families, and cultural expectations.

The analysis of 36 previous studies found that social and interpersonal factors can either protect against or worsen body dissatisfaction and disordered eating during pregnancy and the first year after giving birth.

Study lead author Madeleine Rhodes, a doctoral candidate at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia, says the findings challenge the idea that body image concerns are solely an individual responsibility.

Rhodes said: “We wanted to understand how new and expecting moms are affected by the people and environment close to them when it comes to their bodies and eating habits.

“Whilst support from partners, family, friends, and healthcare professionals can help women feel better about their bodies, negative comments and social pressure to ‘bounce back’ make things worse.”

The review found that supportive partners and strong social networks help women feel more positive about their bodies, while unrealistic media portrayals, appearance-focused comments, and even well-meaning advice can do harm.

Rhodes said: “The transition to motherhood is a time of profound change and women shouldn’t have to navigate these pressures alone - partners, families, and healthcare professionals all play a critical role.

“These issues are shaped by relationships and culture.

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"Solutions need to involve partners, families and health professionals, not just the women themselves.”

The study, published in the journal Body Image, found that protective factors included emotional and practical support from loved ones and clear, non-judgmental guidance from doctors and nurses.

Risk factors included appearance-related comments, interpersonal abuse, and sociocultural pressure to conform to thin ideals.

Some women reported that weight-related advice triggered distress, especially those with a history of eating disorders.

Healthcare professionals were identified as vital sources of reassurance, yet many women said conversations about body changes were absent or overly focused on weight.

Rhodes said: “Our findings suggest doctors and midwives should regularly check in with new and expecting moms about how they feel about their bodies and eating habits, and give clear, supportive advice about normal changes.

Celebrities were also criticized for reinforcing unrealistic expectations.

Study senior author Professor Ivanka Prichard says that while pregnancy often brings temporary relief from thin-ideal pressure, these expectations return with force after giving birth, fuelling dissatisfaction and unhealthy behaviors.

Prichard said: “The cultural obsession with ‘getting your body back’ is harmful and unrealistic.

"This is a public health issue with real consequences for mothers, babies, and families.

"By shifting the focus from individual responsibility to shared support, we can create healthier outcomes for everyone.”

The researchers urge routine screening for body image and eating concerns while women are pregnant as well as postnatally, and recommend involving partners and social networks.

Rhodes added: “Partners and family can help by offering emotional support and avoiding comments about looks, while public health messages should push back against unrealistic ‘bounce back’ expectations and promote messages of body functionality and self-compassion."