Hispanic maternal influences on daughters' unhealthy weight control behaviors: The role of maternal acculturation, adiposity, and body image disturbances. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Olvera, Norma; Matthews-Ewald, Molly R.; McCarley, Kendall; Scherer, Rhonda; Posada, Alexandria
• Is Part Of: Body image. Volume 19(2016)
• Page Start: 208
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Unhealthy weight control practices -- Early adolescents -- Hispanic -- Obesity -- Body image; Body image -- Periodicals; Body image -- Research -- Periodicals; Body Image -- Periodicals; 306.4613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.10.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-1445

Abstract

Highlights: Compared to daughters, mothers preferred larger body sizes for their daughters as an ideal. Mothers and daughters did not differ in selection of daughter's perceived body size. Maternal adiposity and acculturation predicted daughters' weight control behaviors. Abstract: This study examined whether maternal adiposity, acculturation, and perceived-ideal body size discrepancy for daughters were associated with daughters' engagement in unhealthy weight control behaviors. A total of 97 Hispanic mother-daughter dyads completed surveys, rated a figure scale, and had their height, weight, and adiposity assessed. Mothers ( M age = 39.00, SD = 6.20 years) selected larger ideal body sizes for their daughters ( M age = 11.12, SD = 1.53 years) than their daughters selected for themselves. Mothers had a smaller difference between their perception of their daughters' body size and ideal body size compared to the difference between their daughters' selection of their perceived and ideal body size. More acculturated mothers and those mothers with larger waist-to-hip ratios were more likely to have daughters who engaged in unhealthy weight control behaviors. These findings highlight the relevant role that maternal acculturation and adiposity may have in influencing daughters' unhealthy weight control behaviors.