Mothers' and daughters' relational factors, body and dieting views impact upon fear of fat in a college-aged sample

This research examined the relationship between Fear of Fat, a dislike of fat and fear of becoming fat oneself, aspects of the mother-daughter relationship as well as body and dieting beliefs. The effect of a positive, close mother-daughter relationship may serve to counteract negative body perceptions and beliefs that contribute to the development of disordered eating pathology. Individuals who feel close to or identify with their mothers but are dissatisfied with their body demonstrate less concern and Fear of Fat, as compared with those who are not close to their mother, but high in body dissatisfaction. The protective nature of the mother-daughter relationship serves to lessen Fear of Fat even in the presence of other disordered body beliefs. In addition, the mother-daughter relationship can impact the overt and underlying reasons for dieting behavior in college age girls by shaping the daughters' interpretations and internalizations of body beliefs and self perceptions.