SIZE, LIES, AND MEASURING TAPE

Self-defeating behaviors related to body weight and self-regulation of eating and activity are common in Western culture. Even clinicians who do not specialize in treating eating disorders often treat clients with subclinical eating and body image disturbances. These clients may not fully meet diagnostic criteria for eating disorders but may be unable to successfully complete therapy because of eating and body image problems. The purpose of this article is to address beliefs held by the clinician that hamper effective intervention, to alert clinicians about interventions that might exacerbate eating and weight problems, and to highlight the research base for effective treatment strategies.