The association between body image and depressive symptoms in pregnant and postpartum women: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Body image is an individual's internal representation of physical appearance. Perinatal depression, a psychological condition with severe implications, is influenced by body dissatisfaction. However, no studies have systematically quantified their association.

Objective

To evaluate the correlation between body image and depressive symptoms in the perinatal period through meta-analysis.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Medline, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases, and studies assessing body image and perinatal depression were included. Two researchers independently screened, extracted, and assessed study quality. Meta-analysis used Review Manager 5.4, with the correlation coefficient (r) as the effect size, and

SUBMITTER: He J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12540066 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature