Moms’ Diets And Self-Esteem Impact Girls’ Confidence

Weight loss is a common goal, especially for women and teen girls. Despite research showing that dieting doesn’t work long-term, many still try it. In our book, “Beyond Body Positive: A Mother’s Guide for Helping Girls Build a Healthy Body Image,” we discuss how moms’ dieting affects their daughters’ health and self-image.

Social media and cultural pressures push many to diet and follow extreme exercise programs, like 54D or the 75 Hard Challenge, or use quick-fix weight loss drugs. This intense focus can make moms forget how their behaviors influence their daughters.

Mothers have a big impact on their daughters’ body image from a very young age. Research shows that daughters of dieting moms are more likely to diet and have negative body images, leading to mental and physical health issues, including eating disorders.

To help their daughters and themselves, moms should avoid “fat talk” and labeling food as “good” or “bad.” This helps prevent weight bias and negative self-image. Instead, moms should model self-compassion and intuitive eating, which leads to better health.

Moms can also teach their daughters to critically view social media and its unrealistic body standards. Focusing on body function rather than appearance, and practicing healthy habits like good sleep, stress management, and regular exercise, is crucial.

Promoting a healthy body image involves simple, consistent practices. Traits like perfectionism and low self-compassion can harm body image, but moms can change these by setting realistic goals and avoiding moral judgments about food.

Changing habits takes effort but brings lasting benefits. Moms’ positive attitudes and behaviors greatly influence their daughters’ body image, making it a valuable effort for both.

Re-reported from the article originally published in She the People.