{"id":59237,"date":"2026-05-23T10:21:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T07:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/?p=59237"},"modified":"2026-05-23T10:21:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T07:21:15","slug":"moms-body-comments-stay-with-kids-for-decades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/en\/moms-body-comments-stay-with-kids-for-decades","title":{"rendered":"Mom’s Body Comments Stay With Kids for Decades"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scientists at\u00a0the Rudd Center at\u00a0the University of\u00a0Connecticut surveyed<\/a> more than 1,000 adolescents aged 10\u00a0to\u00a017\u00a0and tracked how weight-related teasing from different family members affects children\u2019s health and wellbeing.<\/span><\/p>\n

The finding: mom\u2019s comments are the most damaging.<\/strong> When weight teasing came from mothers, the consequences were the most severe\u00a0\u2014 for both girls and boys. Comments from mothers were most likely to\u00a0trigger binge eating, unhealthy weight control behaviors, and negative body image.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This affects kids of\u00a0all sizes: a\u00a0child with a\u00a0completely healthy BMI hears these comments at\u00a0the dinner table just as\u00a0often as\u00a0a\u00a0child who is\u00a0overweight. Because the problem isn\u2019t the number on\u00a0the scale\u00a0\u2014 it\u2019s the emotional climate within the family and the respect people show each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

The effects can last for decades. One earlier study from the same team found that weight teasing during adolescence predicted higher rates of\u00a0binge eating, emotional eating, and weight gain even 15\u00a0years later\u00a0\u2014 particularly in\u00a0women.<\/span><\/p>\n

About one in\u00a0three children experience this kind of\u00a0behavior at\u00a0home.<\/p>\n

Psychologists explain why a\u00a0mother\u2019s words cut so\u00a0deep. Mom is\u00a0typically the primary attachment figure\u00a0\u2014 the first source of\u00a0safety and self-worth. So\u00a0when she\u2019s the one commenting on\u00a0a\u00a0child\u2019s body, it\u00a0often lands like a\u00a0verdict: <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re not good enough\u201d.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

And here\u2019s the saddest part: most parents who do\u00a0this genuinely believe they\u2019re being caring or\u00a0motivating. Many heard the same things growing up\u00a0and are simply repeating the only script they know.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to\u00a0do\u00a0if\u00a0you\u2019re concerned about your child\u2019s weight<\/b><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s important not to\u00a0avoid the topic of\u00a0health entirely<\/b>, but to\u00a0choose your words carefully and pick the right moments. Shift the focus from body to\u00a0behavior and habits, and from criticism to\u00a0suggestion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of, <\/b>\u201cYou\u2019ve put on\u00a0weight\u201d<\/i><\/b>\u00a0\u2014 try <\/span>\u201cWant to\u00a0go\u00a0for a\u00a0walk together after dinner?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Instead of\u00a0any comments about appearance<\/b>\u00a0\u2014 try, <\/span>\u201cYou were so\u00a0brave today\u00a0\/ so\u00a0full of\u00a0energy\u00a0\/ you did such a\u00a0great job.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Celebrate what the body can <\/b>do<\/i><\/b>\u00a0\u2014 not how it\u00a0looks. Buy clothes that fit. And watch what you say about your own body\u00a0\u2014 kids hear everything.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t