Obesity is a problem for 17 percent of teens in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A study that followed nearly 1,000 children into their teens suggests a link between poor maternal relationships as toddlers and being overweight as teens.

Mother-child relationships were evaluated at one through three years of age. The relationship was assessed based on the mother’s awareness of the emotional needs of child and her ability to nurture in response to those needs.
Approximately one quarter of the children in the study demonstrated an inferior relationship with their mothers.
About 22 percent received perfect scores.

The children were evaluated again at age 15. At this time over 25 percent of the children with poor relationships in early childhood were obese. This is twice as many as those with healthy relationships.

The article states that stress, some of which could stem from poor mother-child relationships, may be a contributing factor in obesity. It is important to note, however, that habits like unhealthy diet and lack of exercise and sleep probably play a bigger role.