Relationships Harm, Relationships Heal: Exploring Larger Bodied People’s Experiences of Weight Stigma and Eating Disorders within Family Relationships

Existing eating disorder research and treatment has often failed to address eating disorders in people in larger bodies. The present study utilized Reflexive Thematic Analysis to explore impact of experiences of weight stigma in people in larger bodies who are recovering from eating-related distress. The study consisted of semi-structured interviews yielding results comprised of four themes and 16 subthemes, all focusing on the impact of family and partner relationships and how these intersect with weight stigma. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the pervasive and lasting impact that family relationships have on people in larger bodies.