Coping with 'thin complainers'

Listening to a thin person complain about her weight can lead to dissatisfaction with your own body, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin found. To protect your body image (and to promote a healthier one for your friend), you'll first need to recognize that a slender woman who initiates "fat talk" may equate self-worth with the size of her body, says Carrie Myers Smith, author of Squeezing Your Size 14 Self into a Size 6 World (Champion Press Ltd., 2004). "Tell your friend that you feel complaining is counterproductive to your health goals because it perpetuates poor body image," Smith says. "Then, let her know that you value the friendship because of her special qualities, not because of her shape or size." If her preoccupation with weight persists, it could signal an eating disorder. For help, consult a health professional in your area or check the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders Web site at anad.org for a referral.

--Amanda Vogel, M.A.

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