304: Disordered Eating and Body Image in Pregnancy and Postpartum with Kathryn Gantt, MHS, LDN, RYT 200

Disordered eating, eating disorders, and body image issues are very common experiences for many women, yet they are overlooked by most medical providers during pregnancy and postpartum. Today’s guest is passionate about educating us about these topics and offering more understanding to struggling women. Join us to learn more!

Kathryn Gantt is an eating disorder dietitian, certified yoga instructor, and mom of two who uses her experience to help people change their relationships with food and their bodies. She gives us an insightful look at the challenges obstetricians and care providers face without the education, experience, and certifications to deal with patients with eating disorders and body image issues. Our discussion also touches on the prevalence of weight bias in the medical field and how “diet culture” contributes to body image struggles during pregnancy and postpartum. Kathryn focuses her work on pregnancy and postpartum nutrition, mindful/intuitive eating, Health At Every Size (HAES), and non-diet approaches when counseling clients. She serves on the executive board of the WNC Chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals and is passionate about helping people understand the societal pressures that impact our physical and mental health during pregnancy and postpartum. 

Show Highlights:

How Kathryn came into her specialty of working with eating disorders

How weight bias shows up in the medical field with very little understanding of eating disorders

The difference between eating disorders and disordered eating—-and how body image issues fit into these categories

Why all obstetricians work with people with eating disorders, whether they realize it or not

How Kathryn works with Obs to do simple screenings for eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image issues

How disordered eating and eating disorders relate to anxiety in pregnancy and postpartum

How diet culture has shaped much of our thinking about pregnancy and women’s bodies

Why the nutrition piece during pregnancy and postpartum doesn’t matter if we ignore mental health issues

How to recognize signs of an eating issue—and what to do next

Resources:

Connect with Kathryn Gantt: Website (Learn more about the upcoming retreat on body positivity for women in Gatlinburg, TN, on January 19-21, 2024) and Instagram

Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support! 

You can now watch the Mom & Mind Podcast on YouTube! Check it out!

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.  

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!

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