The predictors of different responses to fat talk and the impact on body satisfaction, affect and perceived likeability among Hong Kong college women

Abstract

Fat talk, characterized by self-degrading comments about weight and shape, is prevalent among young females and has negative impacts on body image and well-being. Despite its harmful effects, little research has explored fat talk from a responder perspective, especially not in the Asian context. This study aimed to understand the predictors of four identified common response styles to fat talk (reassuring, reciprocating, ignoring and challenging), the moderation effect of relative weight status of initiator and responder, and the impact of different responses on the responder’s state body satisfaction, affect, and perceived likeability among college women in Hong Kong. A mixed-methods design involving a cross-sectional survey and experimental study was employed, with 151 female participants. Results showed that individuals with higher fat talk tendency were more likely to reciprocate initiator’s fat talk; and those with lower levels of body dissatisfaction were more likely to challenge it. The study did not find a moderating effect of relative weight status on response styles. Interestingly, the experimental study showed that reassuring negative body talk led to greater levels of perceived likeability compared to reciprocating or ignoring it. No significance difference was found in the levels of responder’s perceived likeability by the initiator after making a challenging response, compared to after making the other three responses. These findings suggest that as a prerequisite to educating the public about alternative fat talk responses, promoting positive body image may reduce body dissatisfaction and encourage healthier responses to fat talk. The study highlights the importance of developing personalized interventions that consider individual differences in response styles, contextual and cultural factors. Overall, the study contributes to our understanding of fat talk and its impact on body image and well-being from a responder perspective, providing insight for future research and intervention planning.