Dr. Agras's work focused on the influence of eating disordered mothers on the eating habits of their children. Dr. Agras presented data from three studies of the same cohort of children followed from infancy to the age of eight years.

Dr. Agras noted that the first study examined the interactive influences between eating disordered mothers and their infants. Infant daughters of eating disordered mothers were found to suckle with a vigorous feeding style, which was apparent at two weeks of age. Dr. Agras explained that this type of suckling was different from that seen among infants of non-eating disordered mothers. Dr. Agras observed a second difference between these groups: Infant daughters of eating disordered mothers delayed their weaning from the bottle significantly longer than did infants of non-eating disordered mothers. Dr. Agras suggested that these behaviors may precede the development of eating disorders in these children.

The second study of the same cohort examined the relation between maternal and paternal feeding characteristics at time of birth and disturbed eating patterns in the children at five years of age. The researchers found that disordered eating patterns in mothers predicted whether disturbed eating patterns were seen in the five-year-old children.

The third study of the same group was conducted when the children were eight years old. Dr. Agras reported that the prevalence of disturbed eating in these children did not vary by gender: Eight-year-old boys and girls had similar attitudes toward eating, dieting, excessive weight, and shape. Children's attitudes were determined primarily by maternal rather than paternal influences. Furthermore, Dr. Agras noted that maternal attitudes specifically focused on daughters rather than on sons.

Dr. Agras concluded that disturbed eating and body image patterns may be transmitted through mothers, and believes that his findings may be important for prevention or early identification of eating disorders.