Do mothers and their daughters really resemble each other with their BMI results? While mothers and daughters might take on similar eating habits and this can contribute to a similar BMI, is that they only reason? Before we delve into this any further, let's first take a look at what BMI is.

BMI, which is short for Body mass Index, is basically a measurement of a person's weight in relation to their height. BMI is worked out by taking a person's weight, in kilograms, and dividing it by their height, in meters, squared. The answer to the equation gives you the BMI. For example, if a person is 1.6 meters tall you square that number, which is 1.6 times by 1.6 and equals 2.56. Then you take their weight, let's say 58 kilograms for this example, and divide it by the answer of the height squared. So for this example it would be 58 divided by 2.56 which equals 22.65 - this is the BMI.

Normal BMI range is between 18.5 to 24.9 so if you fall within this range you have a healthy weight. If your BMI is below 18.5 then you are considered underweight. If your BMI is between 25 to 29.9 then you are considered overweight. If your BMI is 30 or higher then you are considered obese. BMI is not completely accurate for athletes who have a lot of muscle weight.

Tip: You don't have to sacrifice taste when it comes to losing weight. It used to be that healthy food was synonymous with bland food.

Ok, now we know what BMI is and how it is calculated, let's get back to the mothers and daughters BMI resemblance. If this is correct, would that mean that if a woman is overweight then her daughters will be too? If a woman is underweight will her daughters also be underweight? If a woman is in the normal weight range, will her daughters also have healthy weights? I don't think this would be true all of the time, but there are some factors that make these statements true a lot of the time.

Firstly, there are genetics to consider and genetics can play a role in gaining or losing weight to some degree. Body type is hereditary and is something that is impossible to change, so that plays a role in a mother and daughters similarity in weight. Genetics can also determine to some degree how easy or how difficult it is to keep a high metabolism, although if genetically predisposed to a slow metabolic rate you can help speed it up with a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition and exercise.

Tip: Often, the easiest option for some is to join a program like Weight Watchers. These organizations often offer meals that go along with their diet plans as well as support from people who have lost weight.

Next, there are environmental factors. A mother is usually the cook for a family and if the mother is overweight she probably has a good appetite. That mother is likely to cook similar meals for the whole family as she has for herself, so her daughters may develop their mothers eating habits. This will work the same with a mother who is very active, exercises regularly and eats healthy, nutritious food. In this family there is a good chance that the daughters will develop their mothers healthy eating habits and energetic lifestyle. So there is no doubt that environmental factors play a big role and daughters will often develop the same lifestyle and eating habits as their mothers, so you can see why their BMI results will often resemble one anothers.

There is definitely a resemblance in a mother and daughters BMI results and this is why, as a mother, it is important to be a good role model for your children and teach them healthy eating habits.