A recent study published in the Journal of Eating Disorders examined how negative body and age talk affect mental health and quality of life outcomes in both men and women. The study found that body dissatisfaction is linked to a higher risk of depression, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and suicidal ideation in adolescent boys and girls. In adult men, body dissatisfaction is associated with anxiety, emotional distress, depression, and eating disorder conditions. Middle-aged women who experience body dissatisfaction are at a higher risk of developing dietary restraint, bulimia symptoms, age-related anxiety, and depression.
The study also found that negative body talk, including “fat talk” and pressure to maintain a slim body while aging gracefully, contributes significantly to body dissatisfaction. Fat talk and old stories significantly correlate with disturbed body image, eating disorder pathology, and aging anxiety. Body dissatisfaction and depression symptoms increase among individuals who engage in more fat talk, while increasing age is associated with lower levels of body dissatisfaction.
The study involved 778 adults drawn from the US, UK, and other Western European countries. Participants completed an online survey assessing their engagement in fat and old stories, levels of body dissatisfaction, depression, eating disorder pathology, anxiety about aging, quality of life, and general anxiety.
Fat talk and elevated body mass index (BMI) values were significantly associated with increased eating disorder symptoms. Women who frequently engaged in both old and fat talk had a higher risk of ED pathology and decreased quality of life. The study found that both types of negative body talk significantly correlate with quality of life and mental health outcomes, but fat talk had a greater impact.
In conclusion, a deeper understanding of the impact of negative body and age talk can help promote mental health and body image, especially in middle age and beyond.