RVNA Health Source: Daughters and Weight

Daughters and Weight

Parents should be cautious about speaking with their daughters about their weight, new research shows. The study indicated that women who remembered their parents talking to them about their weight were more likely to be overweight as adults and to be dissatisfied with their own weight. It is never a good idea to comment on a women’s weight, even when they are girls, according to the research. Instead of criticizing a child’s weight or restricting food intake, the better approach is to encourage healthy eating choices and behaviors by allowing children the freedom to choose for themselves and by having appealing and healthier choices available.

The study involved 501 women between the ages of 20 and 35 who were queried about their body image and how frequently their parents spoke to them about their weight when they were girls. Compared to those who were overweight, the healthy weight women were 27% less likely to say their parents commented on their weight and 28% less likely to say their parents told them they ate too much. Both overweight and healthy weight women whose parents commented on their weight in childhood were less satisfied with their adult weight. This led researchers to suggest that weight related comments from parents to young girls caused harm to the women’s body image, regardless of their current weight.

Founded in 1914, RVNA is an accredited non-profit Medicare-certified home healthcare agency that also supports public health and safety and promotes the highest quality of life. RVNA provides compassionate care to all individuals, whether young or old, through a continuum of care that encompasses health care at home and in the community. RVNA also provides home health aides and companionship through a non-medical subsidiary called HomeCare by RVNA.

Visit RVNA at www.ridgefieldvna.org

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Submitted by Newtown, CT

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