Body Image, Eating Attitudes and Breastfeeding Intention: Implications for Mental Health and Maternal Child Nurses

Body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating are often overlooked as personal factors that may affect pregnancy, postpartum, and infant feeding method. The current study compared body image, eating attitudes, and breastfeeding intention of first-time breastfeeding mothers to first-time non-breastfeeding mothers. A two-group, comparative design was used to analyze data for first-time mothers recruited through a large pediatric practice with multiple offices. Although there was no significant difference in body image scores between the groups, the literature suggests that body image dissatisfaction can affect the transition to motherhood and lead to more serious mental health issues. Prevention of psychiatric disorders such as eating disorders can be addressed early with information regarding body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Findings from this study have implications for mental health and maternal child health providers.