Hey moms – here’s some intelligence to help keep your daughter healthy. BE CAREFUL IF YOU DIET! According to the Associated Press, studies show that your eating habits can have a bad influence on her.

Carolyn Costin is the spokeswoman for the National Eating Disorder Association. And she says children learn attitudes about dieting through observation. And if you have an unhealthy fixation on your body image, they can pick that up. Costin says just like daughters try on their mom’s dresses and high heels, they “try on” their diets, too.

Obesity rates have been climbing, and because of this, parents have been warned time and again about the dangers of junk food and lack of exercise. But few health experts talk about parents who meticulously count every calorie that crosses their lips. But the truth is - this type of obsession rubs off on kids. It teaches them to weigh their self-worth on the bathroom scale.

A study from Harvard Medical School found that mothers who dieted a lot had daughters that did the same thing. And these young girls were more likely to develop anxieties about their bodies. According to lead researcher Alison Field, even small clues – like making self-deprecating remarks about bulging thighs, or squealing with delight over losing 2 pounds – can send the message that thinness is to be prized above all else.

While it’s important that your child maintain a healthy weight – here’s an important rule, parents: NEVER tell your daughter she’s fat - or that she eats too much. Girls whose parents criticize them about their weight or their eating habits can develop lasting problems with body image and self-esteem.

So then how can you keep your daughter healthy? Lead by example. Everyone in the family should eat a balanced diet, get regular exercise and avoid making negative comments about their bodies. When this becomes part of your lifestyle, your daughter will have no reason to jump on the fad diet bandwagon. And both her body and her mind will be healthier for it.