The National Eating Disorder Association say that mothers should be careful about their own dieting habits as they could really influence their children and give them bad eating habits. Children whose mothers where obessed with their body image could also end up with an unhealthy self perception of their bodies. The same goes for mothers and fathers who are obsessive with calorie counting.

The American Dietetic Association that studies eating habits all over the United States says that irrational behaviour from parents towards diet can impact on the children too and make them link their confidence and self esteem to their body weight.

Many studies like the one conducted by Harvard University earlier this year saw that mothers who have bad dieting habits often passed on these bad habits to their daughters. The study noted that if a girl had a mother who was unhappy with the way that she looked physically that she was also likely to have a problem with the way that she looked also.

The Harvard researchers said that simple observations on being fat and being happy when losing weight sends a clear message that being slim is extremely important.

While the information that being slim is good can be useful to children it is important that the emphasis on weight loss is to do with health rather than looking good so that children learn to eat healthily and carefully rather than starve themselves at all cost in order to get slim no matter the cost to their health.

The Harvard study is a warning to parents to set a good example to their children about what they eat and the importance of nutritional education.

Ukmedix is a great believer in a simple balanced diet that has a long term aspect to it. Quick diet fixes are not good for you and should be avoided and should not be passed onto children as a way to lose weight.