Prevention with Marcy Forta
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If this post resonates with you or makes you feel something, share it with a friend! My hope is that we can keep this important conversation going long after the post is over.
But here’s the thing: preventing eating disorders, or at least minimizing the chances, is more about fostering self-worth and emotional health than just keeping them off the latest fad diet.
This episode isn’t just for parents who feel like they’re constantly playing catch-up with their kids' mental health. It’s for educators, clinicians, and anyone who's had the absolute pleasure of trying to navigate the tangled web of teenage emotions.
Trust me, it’s not just about “eat this way or that” and “love yourself.” It's way deeper than that—like the emotional abyss that is adolescence. Oh, and spoiler alert: constantly commenting on someone’s weight? Not helpful. Actually, it's a one-way ticket to ruining their self-esteem, even if you think you’re being “nice.”
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Marcy Forta, and we’re talking about how preventing eating disorders isn’t a “one size fits all” (pun intended) solution. It’s about raising mentally healthy teens, navigating that awkward stage of life we all try to forget, and giving them the tools to not crumble under society’s obsession with body image.
Dr. Marcy Forta is the founder and director of Atzmi, a nonprofit supporting the mental health of adolescent girls through programs that improve their self-compassion, self-worth, and body image, providing tools and skills to support their mental health and empirically prevent eating disorders. Atzmi also provides workshops for parents and educators. Dr. Forta personally works in eating disorder prevention, awareness, and education, providing support and guidance for loved ones of adolescents struggling with eating disorders. She consults with schools, mental health professionals, and parents. She is also the author of the book “How Can I Help My Daughter? A Mother’s Guide to Nurturing Her Daughter’s Best Self” (Mosaica Press) as well as the accompanying Mother/Daughter companion curriculum to facilitate open communication with your daughter.
In this episode, we’re talking about:
Supporting children and teens by allowing them to experience emotions and challenges, rather than always stepping in to fix things.
The critical role of parents in providing love, support, and non-judgment.
Addressing eating disorders by focusing on prevention strategies that promote self-worth, mental wellness, and emotional regulation.
The importance of open communication between parents and children about body image, social media, and societal pressures.
Encouraging critical thinking in children to help them navigate harmful societal messages around body ideals and diet culture.
Teaching self-compassion, resilience, and emotional regulation as key components of mental wellness and eating disorder prevention.
Social media's influence on body image, especially for more impressionable youth, and the value of managing exposure.
The lasting impact of how parents model behaviors around body image and food, particularly for young girls.
Making small, sustainable changes in parenting to build resilience and promote healthier mental and emotional development.
So, whether you’re a parent struggling to connect with your teen or a teacher trying to foster a healthier environment, this episode offers a wealth of practical advice. Tune in to hear how you can be part of the solution—whether it’s through structured programs or just being a little more mindful in your everyday interactions.
Tweetable Quotes
"The words that you say about someone's body matter. They matter so much." - Rachelle Heinemann
"Let's go in with an open mind; we have no idea what a person is like before we get to know them." - Rachelle Heinemann
"Self-compassion is really one of the most powerful sources of coping and resilience that we have, and resilience building is very important for people's mental health." - Marcy Forta
“How people internalize the messages they hear actually makes a very big difference.” - Marcy Forta
“The most important thing about talking with your child about social media is that they can feel comfortable to come to you when they hear or see something that is concerning to them, they don't feel like, 'Oh, my mom's going to judge me.'” - Marcy Forta
Resources
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Related Episodes
Episode 142. Are Eating Disorders Considered Addictions? with Iris Epstein RD, CDCES, CEDS-S, CAI
Episode 138. Substance Use and Eating Disorders with Sydney Greene
Episode 132. Parents and Families with Judy Krasna from FEAST
Episode 120. Disordered Eating VS Eating Disorder, Which Is It?
Episode 118. Navigating Parenthood and Eating Disorders with Dina Cohen, MS, RDN, CEDS-C
Episode 75. Mothers and Daughters with Judith Ruskay Rabinor Ph.D.
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