Objective: To explore five different responses to fat talk and their impact on individual body image
and relational outcomes. Methods: 393 college participants recalled an experience of engaging in fat talk before
being randomly assigned to receive a set response (where their fat talk was either challenged, ignored, reassured,
reciprocated, or Validated), then evaluated the body image variables (body dissatisfaction, body shame) and
relational outcomes variables (social support, intimacy). Results: Fat talk was positively correlated with body
dissatisfaction and shame, and negatively correlated with intimacy, but not with social support. The analysis of
variance showed that there was statistically significant effect of fat talk response on body satisfaction levels, social
support and intimacy, but there was no significant difference in body shame. Conclusion: The responses to fat
talk have a significant impact on individual body image and relational outcomes.