“Old Talk” vs. “Fat Talk” You Decide Can This Language Be Just as Toxic? (September 2013)

I couldn’t help myself but write an article on this topic as I hear the language that clients use in my office on a daily basis. We all hear our clients speaking in a negative and judgmental manner regarding their body and having various complaints about it. Then we hear bits and pieces about getting older which can be exciting and scary at the same time. I thought this topic would be appropriate as many statements pertaining to getting older mirror negative body image.

When we think of body dissatisfaction what comes to mind are body weight, size and shape. This can be in women and men. The latest research also shows this can also include how we look. As women we hear the analogy that as we age “we wilt just like a flower”or” let’s age gracefully”. I agree men have it better and easier from the aging standpoint than women do as aging does add character, but I still do have men clients that speak about “old talk” as they would about “fat talk”.

There was research done at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX and the University of the West in England. They both used questionnaires to assess “old talk” and “fat talk”, eating disorder pathology and body image disturbance among 914 women (sorry no guys done in this study) aged 18-87 in the US, AU, and the UK. The study concluded that women from all countries engage in “old talk” and “fat talk”. The study also showed that as women age the increase for “old talk” increases.

I think this study has not only opened my eyes as a conversation piece amongst colleagues but with clients. I will ask clients that when they recognize the purpose that their eating disorder has served for them the client will often times respond with not getting older as moving forward can represent that they are aging in their life. Getting older does not always mean that we are getting wiser. Also learning how to not bash ourselves for the time that we have spent engaging in our eating disorder is important to remember. I also let our client know that their eating disorder has helped them through many aspects through their life or they wouldn’t engage in it. Remember being kinder to yourself when you speak about getting older, as I have news for you: I am getting older, too!

References:
1.Becker, C.B., Diedrichs, P.C., Jankowski., &Werchan, C. (2013). I’m not Just Fat, I’m Old. Has the Study of Body Image Overlooked, “old talk?” Journal of Eating Disorders 2013, 1:6 doi:10.1186/2050-2974-1-6
2. www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28 Old booming/old talk-and fat talk