Strong health identities for mothers experiencing role opposition

As far as food-related behavior goes, this concept goes far beyond surface level. Time and time again research has proven that there are multiple aspects in regards to food choice, identity being one of the strongest. In Johnson et. al's analysis of mother's food-related identities and their subsequent food choices, it is once again shown that: 1) food-related roles are essential to the identity of a mother 2)
concepts that have been previously discussed in class reappear.
The idea that a mother deems herself as being either successful or unsuccessful through the nutrition of her children has once again been exploited. Devine's spill over model kept replaying through my head, especially when reading about the mothers who experienced negative feelings such as guilt and conflict because they failed to see themselves as healthy (or successful)-- for themselves or their children. Reasons for these feelings of guilt, and subsequent lack of healthy eating behavior, as Johnson et. al explain, stem from both role opposition and the lack of a healthy eating foundation. This first part is, essentially, what Devine's spill over model highlights: the opposition of imperative roles, such as work, family, time, and having to choose which is more important. Consequently, mothers are forced to make 'trade-offs'. In doing so, they are forced to choose between their own time, energy, and personal health, and their child's health. The second part, however, is what I found most interesting regarding this research. Beyond the fact that I found it interesting, I believe it is an extremely beneficial finding, particularly for those mothers who find themselves in the situation of role opposition frequently. Johnson et. al explained that, overall, the mothers who had a more central health identity did not experience the kinds of negative emotions that the mothers without this identity did. Seemingly, the mothers without a central health identity were, too, the ones who experienced role opposition. Linking these two concepts, I truly think that this research has found a 'solution' to mothers experiencing role opposition: if they were to have a strong personal health identity, regardless of role conflict, they can make better choices for themselves and their kids, leading to lesser feelings of negativity like guilt and conflict. Now, I am aware that having a strong central health identity doesn't mean all negative feelings that come with role opposition will be taken care of, but at least these mothers can experience feelings such as success and happiness in one area of their lives. Furthermore, perhaps they will feel as though they are fulfilling their obligations as a mother through their healthy food choices/behaviors and its effects on their children's food-related behaviors. I'm really interested in the idea of whether or not having a strong central health identity can help mothers who are struggling in terms of role conflict. If so, what are some ways that a mother (who defines herself as unhealthy) can strive to achieve a healthier identity even in the midst of stressful role opposition? If a mother is able to make the identity change from unhealthy to healthy, will this change better other negative aspects of her or her child's life?