Mother-daughter resemblance in BMI and obesity-related behaviors

Abstract

This study sought to determine the association between mother-daughter resemblance in body mass index (BMI) and obesity-related behaviors and whether connectedness moderated those associations. Seventy-six girl scouts (ages 9 to 13 years) were objectively assessed for BMI and surveyed via questionnaire. Sixty-eight parents also completed questionnaires assessing height, weight, and obesity-related behaviors. Significant relationships were found for television viewing (beta = .351, p = .002), eating while watching television (beta = .468, p < .001), fruit consumption (beta = .374, p = .005) and vegetable consumption (beta = .243, p = .050). Connectedness moderated the maternal BMI and daughter BMI Z-score relationship (beta = .307, p = .026), and mother-daughter TV viewing (beta = .258, p = .043). Connectedness may influence girls' BMI and behavioral resemblance to mothers. Specific pathways leading to greater similarity between parent and child relative weight need further study.