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What your mother's body
can tell you about your health.
Three daughters compare wobbly bits with their mums.
WOMEN inherit both the good and the not so good bits of their mother’s body. From saggy tummies to stretch marks, we all worry about the lumps and bumps that are part of our genetic make-up. But if you have Mum’s cellulite and bingo wings, are you more likely to suffer her more serious health problems too? Everything from diabetes and arthritis to breast cancer could be hereditary. Here, three brave mums and daughters bare all to compare their wobbly bits – and the state of their health.
Like mother, like daughter...
Becky has inherited her mum Elaine's arthritis as well as body shape.
Becky
BECKY CROZIER, 24, is a single mum with daughter, Shayna, four. She lives near Hull and works in a supermarket.
Her stats – Chest: 36HH. Waist: 371/2in. Hips: 45in. Height: 5ft 2in. Dress size: 16.
“I worry I’ve inherited Mum’s arthritis as well as body shape. My joints often get stiff in my legs and arms. Before I had Shayna, I wasn’t too overweight. But I’ve piled on the pounds since and I comfort eat like Mum and I love junk food. I also have big boobs like her, which would be fine if my stomach and bottom weren’t so big. I have eaten more since I split up with my partner, Shayna’s dad. I also have curvature of the spine. When I gave birth, the epidural wasn’t administered properly causing some spinal fluid to leak and I had blood clotting as a result – it was very traumatic. I worry a lot about my weight and I would love to be slimmer. I walk every day to Shayna’s pre-school and I would like to join a gym. But it is finding the time with a young child and a job. I know I should eat less, but I love all the food that is bad for you.”
Elaine
HOUSEWIFE Elaine Hardwick, 47, is married to chef, Ian, 51, and has two children, Becky, 24, and Luke, 19. She lives near York.
Her stats – Chest: 38F. Waist: 38 1/2in. Hips: 45in. Height: 4ft 11in. Dress size: 16.
“I have struggled with my weight all my life, reaching 16 1/2st four years ago before having a gastric bypass operation I am very self-conscious about my body and I hate my stomach and bottom. After the bypass, I managed to lose five stone but I’m now 13st. I have back problems, too. I used to work for a cake company and lifting heavy boxes compressed my spine. I’m an inch shorter than I used to be. I have fibromyalgia, a form of arthritis. Walking long distances is painful. When it’s cold, I’m in constant pain. Becky takes after me in terms of body shape. I wonder if I am to blame for her size – I used to reward the children with food when they were young. Both Becky and I are comfort-eaters. Most of the women in our family are short and plump – yet the men are tall and slim. When I look at my naked body I am disgusted. I’m lucky that Ian seems to love me just as I am.”
Cancer concerns ... Hayley with her mother Kim Cornish, who had a lumpectomy.
Hayley
HAYLEY CORNISH, 31, has two children, Ella-May, eight, and Daisy, nine months. Single mum Hayley lives in Margate, Kent.
Her stats – Chest: 38E. Waist: 32in. Hips: 38in. Height: 5ft 6in. Dress size: 16.
“Since mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, I’ve been so worried – and it has been an awful two years with dad, too, losing him to oesophageal cancer. They were both so healthy and never ill – their illnesses were a terrible shock. I’m worried I might have the breast cancer gene and I’m going to the doctor’s for a check-up. I think I inherited my dad’s body type, not Mum’s. I’ve bigger boobs and my stomach and hips are wider, too. I’d love to be slimmer on my tummy and my legs. I do try to eat healthily but I love chocolate. Mum being ill knocked me for six – I’ve never known her laid up in bed, as she’d always been such an active person. It has taught me you can’t take your health for granted. I need to take better care of my body and have regular check-ups and try to keep the weight off.”
Kim
KIM CORNISH, 53, works as a mobile hairdresser and lives near Faversham, Kent. She is a widow and has three children, Hayley, 31, Leighton, 28, and Blake, 14.
Het stats – Chest: 34A. Waist: 30in. Hips: 36in. Height: 5ft 3in Dress size: 12.
“In March this year I lost my husband, Brian, to oesophageal cancer. In 2010 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and have recently finished my treatment. I had a lumpectomy and removal of lymph nodes under my arms and then had a gruelling round of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Up to that point, I had been very healthy and I have always been slim and eaten well. I had two operations and I have lost so much confidence in my body and my looks. Until two years ago I had relied on my body to be healthy – I took my health for granted – and was never still, doing housework and gardening. Now I know I need to look after myself. It will take me a long time to get my body confidence back and I hope my daughter never has to go through this.”
Weighty issue...
Rachel Britton and Diane Vassey both struggle to control their eating habits.
Rachel
TRAVEL agent RACHEL BRITTON, 29, is married to Rick, 33, an accountant. The couple live in Fleet, Hampshire, and have a two-year-old son, William.
Her stats – Chest: 40C. Waist: 36in. Hips: 42in. Height: 5ft 9in. Dress size: 20.
“I have inherited my mum’s body shape but I am much taller than she is – I get my height from Dad. I feel I am too overweight but working and having a young son means it is hard to find time to exercise – and I love food. Apart from the height, Mum and I have a very similar build. I am worried about the genetic legacy of her arthritis and I am aware I need to have check-ups on this and keep an eye on my blood pressure. I suffer from chronic sinusitis but I don’t think that is inherited. I’m using herbal drugs for the symptoms. I’ve had a difficult year in that I lost a baby in very difficult circumstances and Mum has been my rock and a fantastic support to me. My only serious issue is my weight and now that Mum has lost a stone, I feel I should lose weight too!”
Diane
HOTEL manager Diane Vasey, 58, lives with husband David, 58, a hotel accountant, in Farnham, Surrey. She has two kids, Rachel, 29, and Daniel, 28.
Her stats – Chest: 38D. Waist: 34in. Hips: 40in. Dress size: 16/18. Height: 5ft 3in.
“I suffer severe osteoarthritis, which started ten years ago. I control it with steroids and have regular injections. I try not to let it stop me enjoying my life, although I get a lot of pain. I’m busy in my job and also work with Girl Guides. Last year I spent three months in India on a community project. I felt so well and I’m sure the heat helped. I am sure my arthritis is genetic – my mother has it, Rachel is showing symptoms in her hands and my son has signs. I also have high blood pressure. I thought it was linked to being overweight but after I lost weight it was still high. I take two types of pills to control it and am lucky I don’t suffer any symptoms. Rachel inherits my body shape, we both struggle with weight. My mother had bowel cancer, so that may also be genetic.”.
What your mum's body says about your health - PHOTOS -Three daughters compare wobbly bits with their mums |
