Body image, self-esteem, eating and feeding behaviours in Israeli and UK women: a two year cross-cultural comparison.

Pregnancy is a time women are advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle and support the healthy development of their fetus. Research indicates that pregnancy weight gain is positively associated with BMI prior to pregnancy resulting with heavier women being advised to gain as minimum weight as possible. Women tend to accept the changes within their body and associate it with the development of their future baby. Having given birth the excessive weight gain can no longer be attributed to the development of their fetus and for most women this is a time of dissatisfaction with body and active dieting behaviours. Whiles during pregnancy negative eating behaviours affects solely the future mothers, postpartum eating behaviours are associated with feeding behaviours and negative mealtime interactions. In support, the literature suggests that mothers who restrain their own eating are likely to restrain their babies eating as well.
The studies set out in this thesis explored feelings and eating behaviours in Israeli and UK mothers from pregnancy until two years following birth and its impact on infants eating traits. The research used quantitative, qualitative and observational methods. Findings from this thesis indicate that eating behaviours remained stable during pregnancy and the postpartum with higher levels of dissatisfaction with body following pregnancy. Maternal eating behaviours and well-being were found to be associated with babies eating traits. To conclude, as eating behaviours are shaped in early life future research should identify those mothers who are at risk for unhealthy eating behaviours and provide them with sufficient support allowing a healthy development for themselves and their new-born.