In a case-control study mothers (n=41) with past or present eating disorder (ED) and normal controls (n=153) were followed prospectively. Female infants of ED mothers sucked significantly faster and were weaned 9 months later than offspring of the controls. ED mothers fed their children less regurlarly, used food for non-nutritive purposes and demonstrated higher concern on their daughters weight than controls. At 5 years, the offspring of ED mothers were reported to demonstrate greater negative affect than the offspring of NED mothers. The authors conclude that these factors may pose a serious risk for the later development of an eating disorder.