If you’ve struggled with your weight and wonder if your daughter will, too, consider this: New research by the EarlyBird Diabetes Study published in the July 13 International Journal of Obesity indicates that girls whose moms are obese are significantly more likely to struggle with weight problems — as are boys whose dads are obese.
That probably doesn’t surprise you, since we’re all aware of genetic influences on body type. But here’s the interesting part: The study didn’t find the same connection between mothers and sons — or between fathers and daughters.
Why is that interesting?
The study’s director, Professor Terry Wilkin, said, “Any genetic link between obese parents and their children would be indiscriminate of gender.” What that means, according to Wilkin, is that daughters are watching their moms’ behavior — and modeling their own based on what they see.
There’s no denying a genetic influence on body type. But this study indicates that parental example plays an important role, too.
The recommendation? To combat obesity in their daughters, moms should focus on changing their own behavior.
Now that’s food for thought.
really interesting. Being an overweight child with a super slim mom, i was always *wondering* why couldn't I be thin & beautiful like her. She never made me feel like I should be thin, but just looking up to her as my mom, made me feel like I needed to be thin too.
Posted by: Fitarella | 07/15/2009 at 05:02 AM
This is super-interesting. Neither of my parents are thin, but they both used to be. This gives me even more incentive to get a grip on my body issues NOW ...
Posted by: Melissa | 07/15/2009 at 06:39 AM
Really interesting. I think there's definitely something to that. And also of the ATTITUDES that a mother has towards her body.
Posted by: Sagan | 07/15/2009 at 02:13 PM
Thanks for chiming in, everybody. Interesting stuff, don't you think?
Posted by: Dara Chadwick | 07/17/2009 at 05:33 AM