Fall 2026

Navigating Postpartum Pressure to “Bounce Back” to Pre-Pregnancy Weight in the Era of GLP-1s

Shannon Donofry, PhD^1,2; Christine Call, PhD³; Riley Jouppi, MS²; Natalie Papini, PhD⁴; and Michele Levine, PhD³ - Obesity and Eating Disorders SIG

Postpartum weight retention, defined as retaining weight gained during pregnancy, has been associated with increased risk for adverse outcomes in subsequent pregnancies as well as elevated longer-term cardiovascular disease risk.¹ Given these associations, postpartum weight loss is one of many factors that healthcare providers should monitor to promote long term maternal health.

Despite most clinical guidelines emphasizing a gradual return to pre-pregnancy weight by 6-12 months postpartum,^1,2 postpartum women experience substantial pressure to rapidly return to their pre-pregnancy weight, ^3,4 which may be unrealistic for many and could increase vulnerability for disordered eating.⁵ Additionally, many women report experiencing stigma related to gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention.⁶ Although weight loss may reduce some experiences of weight stigma, it does not necessarily resolve weight bias internalization (a psychological consequence of prior stigmatization) or other postpartum body image concerns. Women may lose significant weight and continue to experience appearance-related distress, fear of weight regain, or dissatisfaction with pregnancy-related body changes that are not addressed by weight loss alone (i.e., stretch marks, loose abdominal skin, changes in abdominal shape, etc.). Critically, emerging evidence suggests that experiences of weight stigma related to postpartum weight may contribute to adverse health outcomes,^6,7 including worsened mental health⁶ and risk of eating disorders,⁸ which are implicated in longer-term maternal and child health outcomes. Thus, there is a need to balance the health benefits of gradual postpartum weight loss with the experience of weight stigma pervasive in the wider culture.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) have transformed weight management and treatment of chronic disease, and they are increasingly being used to support postpartum weight loss.⁹ These medications may be a promising option for improving health after pregnancy, particularly for people at greater risk for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.¹⁰ However, there is also evidence that the media environment around GLP-1 use and weight loss may contribute to body dissatisfaction and weight stigma,¹¹ and postpartum women are being heavily targeted by companies that offer GLP-1 prescriptions.¹² This targeted advertising may add to perceived pressure to lose pregnancy weight, or “bounce back” quickly after delivery, which may in turn have downstream consequences for maternal mental health and eating disorder risk.

It is important to note that research examining the impacts of GLP-1 use during the postpartum period remains incredibly limited, and there are no guidelines regarding the safety of GLP-1s for postpartum use. The postpartum period is characterized by significant physiological and psychological changes and data regarding how GLP-1 use impacts these processes is insufficient. For example, it is unknown whether GLP-1 use relates to risk for disordered eating during the postpartum period, though emerging evidence in the general population suggests that GLP-1s are associated with increased eating pathology among some individuals.¹¹ This underscores the importance of adequate eating disorder screening by providers who prescribe GLP-1s to postpartum women. It also remains unclear whether GLP-s are safe to use while breastfeeding, and pressure to lose pregnancy weight quickly may lead some women to stop breastfeeding earlier than they might otherwise in order to start taking a GLP-1. Further, given the high rates of GLP-1 discontinuation,¹³ more research is necessary to understand the impact of starting and stopping a GLP-1 during the postpartum period influences maternal health and well-being, including future reproductive outcomes.

Understanding the unique risks and opportunities of GLP-1 use during the postpartum period is critical for advancing maternal health and preventing unintended psychological and physical harm.

Affiliations:

Equip Health Inc , Carlsbad, CA, USA
Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Department of Health Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA

References:

Fall 2026

Navigating Postpartum Pressure to “Bounce Back” to Pre-Pregnancy Weight in the Era of GLP-1s

Shannon Donofry, PhD1,2; Christine Call, PhD3; Riley Jouppi, MS2; Natalie Papini, PhD4; and Michele Levine, PhD3 - Obesity and Eating Disorders SIG

Shannon Donofry, PhD^1,2; Christine Call, PhD³; Riley Jouppi, MS²; Natalie Papini, PhD⁴; and Michele Levine, PhD³ - Obesity and Eating Disorders SIG