Recent research shows that parental modeling is associated with body dissatisfaction in children. This finding can be explained by the prevalence of internalized societal beliefs concerning the ideal body shape and dieting as a means of achieving this ideal. 

Parental Modeling and Body Dissatisfaction in Children

Parental modeling may look like:

- Abnormal eating behavior in parents
- Parents endorsing harmful diets
- Parents complaining about their own weight/eating habits in front of child
- Parents comparing their own bodies to other people in front of child
- Parents consistently making comments about their own weight/specific body parts in front of child

Examples of Parental Modeling 

Parental modeling is predictive of body dissatisfaction and maladaptive eating behaviors in children. Specifically, by engaging in weight loss behaviors, parents may indirectly transmit messages that reinforce the importance of the thin ideal. 

University of Illinois at Chicago

Negative communication about weight are common among families. Research suggests that parental fat talk and parental modeling are positively associated with disordered eating behaviors in children and child weight status. 

Parental Influence on Child Eating Behaviors and Weight 

Abraczinskas, M., Fisak Jr, B., & Barnes, R. D. (2012). The relation between parental influence, body image, and eating behaviors in a nonclinical female sample. Body Image, 9(1), 93-100.

The relation between parental influence, body image, and eating behaviors in a nonclinical female sample

"Fat talk" refers to disparaging comments about body image and weight, and can include comments about weight, eating and exercise habits, fear of being overweight, appearance and behavior comparisons, or strategies to change appearance. 

Fat Talk

Parental Modeling 

Parents may not be aware of the potentially detrimental influence of parental fat talk and modeling behavior on their children. Research even shows that fat talk, diet-endorsing behaviors, and negative weight-related conversations are somewhat viewed as "normative." Psychologists suggest that offering parents psychoeducation and training to encourage supportive weight-related conversations can help promote positive health behaviors in their children. 

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