Mums who watch their weight and actively diet increase the risk of their teenage daughters developing an eating disorder by almost half.

Research shows that 6% of girls aged between 12 and 18 years old have an eating disorder. However, this figure increased to 10% for those girls whos mothers dieted to lose weight.

Of those asked 38% of the girls asked said their mum had the biggest impact on their eating habits and how they viewed their own bobies – with 66% of girls admiting that they often hear their mums dieting and weight loss woes.

1 in 5 of girls suggested that they are criticised by their parents for being fat.

This disorder – which sees teenage girls developing eating disorders depending on their mum's views on weight loss - has been termed “thinheritance”.

A recent Girl Guides study showing that 42% of girls aged between 11 and 16 year olds are dieting, the effects of a mums diet may have a huge impact on how teenage girls approach their eating habits.

Studies also show that 8 out of 10 teenage girls worry about their weight and their body mass index (BMI) - their 'perfect' weight depending on their height.