However although BMI was associated with body image the findings showed body dissatisfaction was not limited to overweight women, and in fact BMI was not associated with breast feeding duration. Instead, how a mother felt about her changing appearance and concerns about weight gain predicted breast feeding duration independently of her weight. However, notably, the variable of ‘weight change’ during pregnancy was significant. Mothers who gained the greatest amount of weight were less likely to plan or actually breast feed.This suggests that it might be changes in body shape, appearance and image that are important rather than weight itself. Greater weight gain or retention may negatively affect body image satisfaction, in turn affecting breast feeding duration.