The goal of this study was to examine breastfeeding behavior and attitudes as predictors of women’s body image and weight control behavior. This study extends past research by focusing on positive body image variables including body appreciation and perceived body functionality. Women (N = 597) from the United States who had recently birthed biological babies ages 0–12 months participated in an online study. Current breastfeeding rates were high (86 %), and average breastfeeding duration was approximately 3 months. Women who were currently breastfeeding indicated more positive body images and less likelihood of engaging in maladaptive weight control behaviors than women who were no longer breastfeeding or had never breastfed their baby. Women’s positive attitudes toward breastfeeding were associated with awareness and appreciation of body functionality and fewer maladaptive weight control behaviors. These findings extend research on the health benefits of positive body image and suggest that breastfeeding may occur within a constellation of beliefs and behaviors indicative of positive body image.

本研究的目的是检查母乳喂养行为和态度作为女性身体形象和体重控制行为的预测指标。这项研究通过关注积极的身体形象变量，包括身体欣赏和感知的身体功能，扩展了过去的研究。女性 ( N= 597) 来自美国最近出生的 0-12 个月的生物婴儿参加了一项在线研究。目前的母乳喂养率很高 (86 %)，平均母乳喂养持续时间约为 3 个月。与不再母乳喂养或从未母乳喂养婴儿的女性相比，目前正在母乳喂养的女性表现出更积极的身体形象，并且参与不良体重控制行为的可能性更小。女性对母乳喂养的积极态度与对身体功能的认识和欣赏以及较少的不良体重控制行为有关。这些发现扩展了对积极身体形象的健康益处的研究，并表明母乳喂养可能发生在一系列表明积极身体形象的信念和行为中。