Investigation of predictors of body awareness of pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of body awareness in pregnant women.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 149 women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy in Turkey between August and November 2024. Participants completed a sociodemographic form, the Body Awareness Questionnaire, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the effects of age, number of pregnancies, gestational weeks, and physical activity levels on body awareness.

RESULTS

Participants had a mean age of 27.69±4.82 years, a mean body mass index of 26.59±3.49, and a mean gestational week of 31.97±6.95. The average body awareness score was 92.52±15.48, and the mean physical activity level was 1,084.56±671.93 metabolic equivalent of task-minutes/week. Regression analysis showed that gestational weeks significantly predicted body awareness (β=-0.327, p<0.001), with decreased body awareness observed as the pregnancy progressed. No significant associations were found with age, number of pregnancies, or physical activity levels (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Gestational weeks negatively influence body awareness in pregnant women. These findings highlight the importance of developing interventions to enhance body awareness during advanced stages of pregnancy.