Weight Stigma in Pregnancy

Weight Stigma in Pregnancy
Emerging evidence indicates that pregnant women are vulnerable to experiencing weight stigma in several different environments including healthcare and the media in addition to their interpersonal networks.

Weight stigma is defined as negative misconceptions and stereotypes associated with body weight. Weight stigma has been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes such as postpartum depression, gestational diabetes, and reduced breastfeeding.

There is a correlation between frequency of weight stigmatizing experiences in pregnancy and maternal body mass index, suggesting women who have a higher body weight are at greater risk of weight stigma and associated complications. Furthermore, weight stigma in the gestational period can have a multigenerational effect making mitigation strategies essential. Therefore, this is an important area for dietitians to be involved in and provide advocacy.

This webinar will provide the latest research ‘in this space’ presented by experts in the field in addition to including the ‘lived experiences’ of women who have encountered this pervasive issue. We can’t wait to see you there!!

This webinar is brought to you by the Paediatric and Maternal Health Interest Group (2024).

Application into practice:
- Reconsider how to apply nutrition care through a weight neutral lens in maternal health
- Build a compassionate understanding from the lived experience of 'fat shaming' in pregnancy care

Speakers:
Alison Ward is an APD with over 25 year’s dietetic experience working for a significant amount of this time in the maternal and childhood nutrition and food security spaces. Much of this work has been designing training and resources for child health nurses, childcare staff, maternity staff, community based peer education programs and research. Publications include the Tucker Talk manual for child health nurses (2017 edition) and the Start Them Right – parents’ guide to eating for under 5s (2015, 2019, 2023 editions). More recently, the co-designer and creator of the Healthy Kids website www.health.tas.gov.au/healthykids and related social media accounts. A strong focus in recent years has been improving accessibility and health literacy of our online and published resources. Conference publications to date have been on qualitative evaluation of community food security programs in Tasmania, and childhood nutrition initiatives.

Dr Kyra Sim (PhD) is a dietitian who has worked in obesity management both clinically and in a research capacity for almost 20 years. Currently, she is the Manager for Obesity Prevention and Management for the Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia. This role entails developing and implementing Government policies, collaborating with other healthcare providers across diverse settings, research and working clinically, supporting patients. She works clinically as part of Metabolic Health in Pregnancy Clinic, a service that sees women who are pregnant and have obesity, have previously had bariatric surgery and/or have a current or recent eating disorder.

Catherine Bell experienced undignified and unnecessary intervention to 'prove' her acceptability to her care providers as a pregnant woman with no concerns but an 'unacceptable' BMI. She went on to give birth uneventfully in a four-hour labour. Her next pregnancy saw her refused service by the same facility, being told her BMI was 'borderline'. She is now a PhD Candidate at the University of Canberra, exploring better ways to facilitate communication and support material decision-making.

Dr. Cathy Knight-Agarwal is the course convener of the Master of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Canberra, a fellow of the higher education academy and an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian. She holds qualifications in Applied Science (at Bachelor and Masters level, UWS), Nutrition and Dietetics (Masters, USyd) and Maternal weight management (PhD, UC). Cathy has worked as a senior lecturer at the University of Canberra, Australia since 2007. From 2001, she worked for over a decade as a clinical Dietitian, both in Australia and the UK, in the areas of paediatric nutrition, critical care, mental health, dietetic education and diabetes management. She has published her research in several peer review journals and presented at both national and international conferences. She regularly provides research and teaching expertise to countries in the South Pacific mainly around maternal and paediatric nutrition. She is in the final stages of completing a Bachelor of Psychology (UNE).

Continued professional development:
This webinar is worth 1 CPD hour.

Pricing:
Dietitians Australia members: $20 | Non-members: $30

By purchasing this webinar you are stating that you agree to the Terms and Conditions.
Discounted member price: 20.00
30.00
You could save: 33%