family wellness | E D I T O R I A L
Overcoming Eating Disorders
HELPING BUILD A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP TO FOOD AND EXERCISE DURING COVID-19 written by Catherine Ruscitti, PsyD CEDS; Clinical Director at the Eating Recovery Center Houston
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here is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic is having a real and serious effect on our mental health. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, such as eating disorders, are on the rise. There’s no shame in feeling increased stress, especially because it can come from any number of challenges we’re facing right now. This might include financial strain, social isolation, changing school regulations and schedules, and fear of getting sick. Even with all the work parents do to shield and houston family magazine
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November 2020
protect their kids, and even if kids don’t fully understand all the rapid changes around them, they are still susceptible to feeling that stress as well. 91% of children report they know their parent is stressed, and children who say their parents are always stressed are more likely to report being stressed themselves. Children model their parents’ stress management skills, so healthy coping techniques will promote better well-being for the whole family. For kids and adults alike, changes in mental health can lead to an altered relationship to food. Some people turn to food in boredom or for
comfort, using it to regulate emotions and cope with increased stress. On the flip side, some use strictly monitoring their food intake as a way to cope with anxiety; it can give them a feeling of control when everything else around them feels completely out of control. Additionally, an increased concern around health – and potentially more time to think about it during social isolation – can lead to a hyper focus on weight, which often has a negative impact on body image and self-esteem, especially in the formative years of childhood and adolescence. It’s important for parents to
lead by example. Be aware of modeling a healthy relationship with food, exercise and body image. Make food together as a family, teaching kids about a variety of foods as they help prepare and serve meals. Practice mindful eating, where you connect over food rather than eating while watching TV or doing other tasks. Allow yourself and your kids to enjoy many kinds of food, avoiding the labels of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for any specific foods. And remember that food is fuel that gives us energy to do the things we love most – it’s not the enemy. When it comes to exercise, try to think of it as joyful
