Funding outcome

This study looks at how negative comments, unfair treatment, or judgment about body weight affect women during pregnancy and after birth. Many people feel pressure to look a certain way while pregnant and to 'bounce back' quickly after having a baby. These pressures can cause stress, poor body image, and unhealthy weight control habits. In Canada, many families have moved here from other countries. Their experiences with body image, culture, and health care may be different. This project asks if being a newcomer to Canada changes how people experience weight-related judgment during pregnancy and after birth. Does it affect their stress and mental well-being? This research has three parts. First, we will review existing studies to see what is already known about weight-related judgment and migration. Second, we will interview newcomer parents about their experiences during pregnancy and postpartum. Third, we will survey people across Canada who have been pregnant in the past five years to better understand how common these experiences are and how they relate to stress and body image. The goal is to improve care for pregnant and postpartum families in Canada. By understanding how migration shapes these experiences, we can help health professionals offer more respectful, culturally aware, and supportive care for diverse families.