These 4 women grew up with diet-obsessed mothers. This is what it did to them.

Content warning: This post discusses disordered eating, which may be distressing to some readers.

Stella's mum never commented on her daughter's weight. But as a child and young teen, Stella was constantly surrounded by diet culture, with her mum always on a fad diet of some sort. A diet which was often unattainable and extreme. It's no wonder that had an effect on Stella herself, who only recently was able to break free from the cycle and find balance. 

But she doesn't blame her mum – because she too was a victim of diet culture. 

For Gloria, she feels her mother played a more conscious role in passing down unrealistic body image expectations. As an Asian woman, she has been told by those around her that anything other than slim, thin and skinny is "undesirable". 

So when Gloria didn't fit the petite stereotype, her mother projected. She would sometimes call Gloria names, and even chastised Gloria's sister for not losing enough baby weight, six weeks after giving birth. 

As someone who lives in a bigger body compared to her mother, Gloria now focuses on how she feels and her overall health rather than the number on the scales. It's a different outlook to how Gloria's mother was raised, and there are cultural influences at play. It's for this reason that Gloria has empathy for her mum – because she knows all too well how difficult it is to break free from the perceptions drilled into you as a child.

Watch: How to improve your daughter's body image. Post continues below.

Young mum Priya told Mamamia she still feels uncomfortable when she walks past the set of scales in the bathroom of her parent's home. Although Priya has managed to cut ties with constantly checking her weight, she knows her mum hasn't managed to do the same. 

As for Margot, she and her sister have struggled their whole lives with body image, trying to undo the unhelpful diet conditioning their parents projected onto them. With both sisters being in their late 30s now, they've only recently found the words to put around their feelings and the courage to try and seek professional help. It will be a lengthy and expensive journey to healing.

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A post shared by Dr Kirsty Seward | Behaviour Scientist (PhD)|Dietitian (@drkirstyseward)

"There were comments about how much they were eating at the dinner table and also memories of hearing their mothers or grandmothers speak about being on a diet or not allowing themselves to eat certain food groups. Even phrases like 'I've been bad this week' (regarding their food intake) were common."

Dr Seward said that many of her clients have since had difficult conversations with family members about the way food is discussed. It's because they now have their own children and want to make sure their child's value and worth is measured far beyond their physical body/appearance.

What's the impact of inherited diet culture?

As Dr Seward explained, having a negative outlook on your body and appearance is often related to low self-esteem.

And having low self-esteem can limit the number of opportunities we put ourselves out there for – limiting us from feeling fulfilled. 

Lexi Crouch is someone who knows the impact all too well.

From a young age, Lexi fell victim to diet culture. It was while in primary school that the toxic cycle began – obsessions with food, weight and shape. 

As Lexi said to Mamamia: "I came from an era of Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig being gospel, to strict dieting in the '90s. And I've seen first-hand the impact that occurs from generationally passing down dieting ideologies – in my case, it was not done intentionally by my loved ones. But following diets never made me feel good. My body image issues and subsequently my eating disorder took away too many quality years of my life."

For 15 years, Lexi struggled with anorexia nervosa, and was hospitalised more than 25 times. It was only through a lot of hard work and lifestyle changes that Lexi managed to make a full recovery. It was also while pregnant, that Lexi discovered a newfound respect and love for her body, seeing the amazing power it had to build and birth a human.

It's through her own experience that Lexi found a passion to try and mitigate diet culture, normalising a healthy, attainable body image that is diverse and personal to the individual. She is now a clinical nutritionist and eating disorder/body image coach, working as an educator and advocate for The Butterfly Foundation and Eating Disorders Queensland.

"Since recovery, my journey has influenced my own work to be able to help others find balance in their relationship with food beyond diet ideals and also be comfortable in their own bodies. I think it is often forgotten how wonderful bodies actually are."

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A post shared by Lexi Crouch (@lexi.crouch)

What are the steps we can take to change our perceptions of dieting?

In her professional experience, many of Lexi's clients have been greatly impacted by inherited diet culture. It's something she is able to pinpoint clearly, given she herself faced the same growing up.

"Many of my clients have been affected by behaviours, rules and rituals passed down from their loved ones. These factors have then molded their relationships with bodies and food," Lexi explained.

"I am a parent myself, and act diligently around my daughter when modeling eating behaviours and my own relationship with food. This is crucial considering I've seen first-hand the impact that can occur (often unintentionally) from generationally passing down dieting ideologies."

It's for these reasons why conversations around body image should be at the forefront.

Dr Kirsty Seward says these conversations open our eyes to how growing up in different environments and eras has shaped our views on food and appearance.

"Today there is more awareness around diet culture practices and body acceptance – but we need to remember and respect that older generations were raised in a time when the 'thin' ideal was praised. Conversations can be healing for all generations involved," she said to Mamamia.

Ultimately, it's far too naïve to simply blame all of our diet practices and myths on the generation before us. 

It's more complex than that.

And even from a younger perspective, Lexi noted there are social changes that need to be made among Gen Z and Millennials too. 

"It's disturbing to see young people prescribed to look a certain way or even eat a particular way. I am very strong on not endorsing the 'what I eat in a day trend' on Instagram or TikTok. These videos have repercussions that can make someone susceptible to certain unattainable diets or body shapes," Lexi explained.

"There's not one ideal or method that fits everyone. This is based on a number of reasons such as genetics, culture, health conditions and dietary needs."

Fortunately, we are seeing a positive shift today. And that's thanks to countless advocates, important discussions and wider research. 

What Dr Seward loves most about her job is seeing women become their own best friend again. And Lexi feels the exact same. Because to see any woman be at peace with their body is a beautiful thing. 

For help and support for eating disorders, contact the Butterfly Foundation’s National Support line and online service on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673).

Feature Image: Instagram @lexi.crouch/@drkirstyseward.