Body image concerns and disordered eating behaviors are often shaped long before a person is aware of them. Families, intentionally or unintentionally, pass down beliefs, comments, and rules about food, bodies, and weight that can contribute to shame, restriction, and binge eating. This presentation explores how body shame is transmitted across generations, how it evolves through different life stages, and how it can be disrupted through intentional, weight-neutral, and compassionate interventions.
Drawing on principles from Intuitive Eating, Health at Every Size® (HAES®), and trauma-informed care, we will examine common patterns in family narratives about bodies, the psychological and relational impact of weight stigma, and the role of clinicians in helping clients rewrite these narratives. Case examples will illustrate how clients can work to heal their own body image while fostering a healthier environment for children, partners, and future generations. Attendees will leave with practical tools for clinical practice, psychoeducation strategies for families, and age-appropriate interventions to promote body respect across the lifespan.