Healing Eating Disorders in our Latine Communities: Contextual and Intergenerational Factors.

Description:

Eating disorders are prevalent among our Latine community. However, most diagnostic tools and treatment models do not consider cultural factors that may increase the risk of developing these highly lethal conditions. This can lead to delays in eating disorders detection and treatment, a worsening of symptoms, and relational barriers to treatment engagement in the future. Healing from eating disorders happens in relationships, connections, and larger contexts. A culturally sensitive approach to treating eating disorders among Latine creates an expansive space to better center the needs of the client served within their unique cultural and relational contexts. Intergenerational factors, like trauma, can be identified and explored as they contribute to eating disorder development, maintenance, and the healing process. Additionally, Latine living with eating disorders may connect with intergenerational strengths and ancestry in ways that uplift their humanity and wellbeing, honoring their present and future while paying respects and, potentially, grieving the past. Cultural sensitive approaches that consider the effects of xenophobia, racism, discrimination, and colorism may also facilitate the timely detection of eating disorders among Latine living with eating disorders while decolonizing how eating disorders are conceptualized and treated.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to –

1. Describe 2 theoretical models relevant to evaluating how experiences of racism/ethnicism, discrimination and trauma contribute to eating disorders risk among Latine.
2. Evaluate how pervasive oppressive messages and systems, including historical sociocultural political ones, impact practice and specifically eating disorders care accessibility for Latine.
3. Describe 3 barriers and facilitators to treatment relevant to serving Latine healing from eating disorders.