title: Relationship between body mass index and women's body image, self-esteem and eating behaviours in pregnancy: a cross-cultural study.
abstract: This study examined the relationship between self-esteem, restrained eating, body image and body mass index during pregnancy. A total of 110 pregnant Israeli and UK women completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire, the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, scales to assess body image and demographics. Body mass index was calculated from antenatal records. Regression modelling determined the relationship between variables, countries and body mass index categories. High correlations were found between body image and body mass index with significantly higher body dissatisfaction for Israeli women. Self-esteem scores for pregnant women were similar to those reported for non-pregnant women. Poorer body image and higher prevalence of restrained eating were found in healthy weight Israeli women.
authors.affiliation: University of Leeds, UK n.shloim10@leeds.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Netalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shloim
authors.affiliation: University of Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Marion M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hetherington
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine in the Galil, Israel.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rudolf
authors.affiliation: Institute for Genetics Health and Therapeutics, UK.
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Feltbower
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000208:ethnology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012649:Self Concept; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000208:ethnology
keywords: body image; eating behaviours; pregnancy; self-esteem body mass index