Moms teaching daughters bad habits

Some moms are working to improve their daughter's self esteem by cooking. If we, as moms, say negative things about our bodies, our kids pick up on those cues. Clinical Psychologists believe the problem is most prevalent in young girls.

Here's the story from ABC News:

Young girls can learn a lot from their mothers, including some dangerous eating behaviors.

There is a cooking program for moms and daughters that is teaching women to have a better image of their bodies. Vicki Bratton and her 8 year old daughter Catherine are getting more than a cooking lesson , they're learning that a healthy attitude towards food leads to a healthy body. Vicki said, "I love the good message that we're learning that healthy food is fun."

Clinical psychologist Dina Zeckhausen, founder of the Eating Disorders Information Network, teaches mothers how to be positive role models for their daughters. Dina said, "It's important that you don't put yourself down in front of your daughter because she has an adult woman's body in her future and she's looking to you in terms of how to feel about that body. she's taking notes whether you know it or not."

Vicki said, "Once I heard her talk about that I realized so many things come out of my mouth that I don't expect, but everything we say their ears are hearing and they are processing it." By cutting out negative body talk, Zeckhausen believes these young girls will have a better image of themselves as they grow older.

Weight obsession affects millions of teenagers, especially girls. One out of every seven women has or is struggling with an eating disorder at any given time. But teenage boys also have body image concerns. Many boys strive for the perfect body by dieting or compulsively exercising.

I have two boys, but I still don't want to set a bad example for them. I can't think of anything I have said that would be negative about my body, but I will still be watching what I say. I keep those negative thoughts for friends who are going through the same thing! Who has time to work out? It's hard to squeeze it in!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen