Unfortunately, mothers get insecure just like everyone else, and they can be competitive with daughters when they have unresolved issues.

I have a sister who is very obese, and my mother has given her no support any time she tries to lose weight, even though they live near each other. I think my mother likes having a child heavier than she is herself.

At my grad school graduation, after being introduced to a lot of my friends (and granted, after a glass of wine), she said 'Can you believe I used to be as young as her...and skinnier?'

I was like..oh God Mom, quit it! I wish she could either lose weight or be comfortable with herself, because she's always been competitive, even when slimmer...