Predictors of mother–daughter resemblance in dietary intake. The role of eating styles, mothers’ consumption, and closeness

The present study examined the resemblance between daughters’ and mothers’ intake of energy-dense food (EDF) and vegetables as perceived by daughters and the potential moderating influence of relationship closeness. One-hundred and twelve female first-year psychology students (aged 17–25 years) completed an online measure incorporating questions on demographic information, food frequency, eating style, and mother–daughter closeness. The EDF and vegetable consumption of daughters and their perception of their mothers’ consumption were significantly related. Daughters who ate more EDF perceived that their mothers consumed more EDF and vegetables overall and had lower levels of restrained eating. Both mothers’ consumption of vegetables (as perceived by daughters) and the number of meals consumed within the family home had a strong influence on daughters’ vegetable intake. Closeness of the mother–daughter relationship did not moderate the relationship between the EDF or vegetable intake of mothers and daughters. Overall, these findings are consistent with the contention that mothers may have a significant influence on the EDF consumption and vegetable intake of their young adult daughters. The mechanism of this influence requires further investigation.

► Daughters’ vegetable/EDF intake resemble their perceptions of their mothers’ intake.
► Daughters perceive their mothers eat more vegetables and less EDFs than they do.
► Closeness of the mother–daughter relationship does not influence food intake.