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Abstract
Research has linked an appearance-focused family culture (including parental commentary
about weight/size) with increased disordered eating and body image dissatisfaction
in daughters. Since body image dissatisfaction is also a risk factor for disordered
eating, body image dissatisfaction may contribute to the link between family focus
on appearance and disordered eating. This correlational study included a sample of
268 college women who completed the Family Influence Scale, Bulimia Test - Revised,
Body Shape Questionnaire, and a series of items about their parents' comments about
their weight/size. Both family appearance focus and daughters' body image dissatisfaction
predicted increased disordered eating in daughters. Additionally, body image dissatisfaction
partially mediated the influence of family appearance focus on daughters' disordered
eating. No specific type of parental comments regarding weight/size emerged as a superior
predictor of eating disturbance, but encouragement to control weight/size was a stronger
predictor of body dissatisfaction than other types of parental comments.
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