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Table 2 Fat talk content thematic analysis summary

From: I’m not just fat, I’m old: has the study of body image overlooked “old talk”?

Theme

Definition

Example responses

Initial responses %

Entire conversation %

Kappa

Denial

Participant denies that friend is fat

“You’re not fat at all.”

63.9

64.75

.85

Empathy

Participant indicates that she or others can relate to feeling fat and being upset

“Ah I know how you feel.” “I can totally understand the feeling.”

12.65

23.15

.78

Probing

Participant questions friend as to why she feels fat

“What makes you feel like this?” “Why what’s wrong?”

13.10

15.75

.84

Evidence

Friend provides evidence to support the statement that she is actually fat

“Yes I am. Look at this (then grabs her love handles).”

-

50.5

.70

Causes

Participant discusses or inquires about the causes contributing to friend’s belief

“You need to stop watching these dumb rom coms.” “Have you not been exercising lately? Or is it PMS?”

-

11.0

.82

Action

Participant suggests or prompts plan of action

“Well have you tried eating better?”

-

26.7

.84

I’m fat, you’re not

Participant disagrees by commenting on her own fatness

“I don’t think you are fat, but I am.”

-

6.75

.75

Healthy Ideal

Participant actively promotes health instead of appearance

“The important thing is that you feel healthy and happy.”

-

4.5

.77

Discount

Participant or friend rejects the other’s denial that they are not fat

“Whatever, you’re only saying that because you have to.”

-

28.7

.89

Disengage

Participant actively dismisses and attempts to stop the fat talk

“Don’t say that!”

-

13.0

.90

  1. Note: Cohen’s kappa coefficients reported here were calculated for the analysis in which the coders analyzed the entire conversation. Kappa for initial response coding was .81.