Identity and Food

This study conducted by Johnson et al. shed light on the weight that identity carries in food choices in mothers for both themselves and their family. Identity is a tremendously powerful thing. In this study it was observed that women who identified as healthy, in terms of eating, made healthier choice for themselves and their children. Not only this, but they also contributed to building healthier eating habits for their families.

            These results can be confusing because it is difficult to discern what makes certain women identify as healthy eaters and others as not. This is especially confusing with the article stating that women who did not identify as healthy eaters were not okay with that identity and felt guilty about their food choices for both themselves and their families. This makes it seem as if for some women perceive their identity to be very much out of their control (if not completely out of their control). The spillover model would suggest that many women who work long hours simply do not see healthy eating choices as viable in spite of the fact that they want to satisfy the role of a good mother, who feeds her family healthy food. This is because they may lack the time, energy, and perhaps resources to make healthy food choices. Beyond the spillover model it is important to consider the culture in which these women find themselves. Women who make healthier choices maybe come from families and are connected to social circles that value healthy eating to a high degree. In this type of environment there would be more pressure, knowledge, and means to eat healthy.