Exploring the relationship of perinatal depression regarding body image dissatisfaction, intuitive eating, and gestational and social factors in high-risk pregnancy

Abstract

To assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors (i.e.: intuitive eating, body image dissatisfaction, and gestational and sociodemographic factors) in high-risk pregnant women. This cross-sectional study included 139 pregnant women, assisted by high-risk prenatal care in a university hospital in northeastern Brazil between January and May 2021. Self-report instruments were used to evaluate depressive symptoms, body image dissatisfaction, and intuitive eating (i.e.: Beck Depression Inventory, Body Shape Questionnaire, and Intuitive Eating Scale-2). Depressive symptoms were found in 33.09% of the sample, especially among women with lower education. Depressive symptoms, body image dissatisfaction, and intuitive eating were correlated (p<0.001; depression and body image dissatisfaction r=0.53; depression and intuitive eating r=-0.32; body image dissatisfaction and intuitive eating r=-0.39). Women presenting more depressive symptoms made more choices based on emotional reasons and with less attention to body-food congruence. This study has unveiled a notable occurrence of depressive symptoms within the examined group of high-risk pregnant women, particularly among those with limited educational backgrounds. The findings also highlight that positive eating behaviors, such as intuitive eating, and body image satisfaction are less displayed when there are high levels of depressive symptoms. These results emphasize the critical necessity for understanding of depression correlations with behaviors capable of exerting an influence on, or exacerbating, clinical conditions among high-risk pregnant individuals remains imperative.