Exploring How Weight Cyclers Negotiate Weight-Related Cultural Discourses

Jenna S. Abetz; Lynsey K. Romo; Katelin A. Mueller; Mary Obiol

doi:10.29333/ajqr/16246

Jenna S. Abetz ¹ ^* , Lynsey K. Romo ², Katelin A. Mueller ², Mary Obiol ²

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AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 9, Issue 2, pp. 1-19

https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16246

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Abstract

Although conflicting rhetoric around body image––namely the “thin is best” mentality and the body positivity movement––exists in the U.S., the ways in which these competing discourses surface and interact within dieters' communication has not been comprehensively examined. Thus, utilizing Relational Dialectics Theory 2.0 to conduct an in-depth analysis of 38 interviews, our study sought to uncover how weight discourses are negotiated by individuals who have reported weight cycling. Participants voiced two overarching discourses: the discourse of body acceptance and the discourse of the superiority of thinness. We found that synchronic interplay was present in participants’ talk, where they negated, countered, or entertained these centered discourses. Our findings help elucidate the nuanced feelings toward weight present in society and highlight the power of weight-related messaging. In doing so, this study aims to provide insights into how weight-related discourses are experienced, communicated, and resisted in everyday interactions, offering a richer understanding of how interpersonal and societal forces intersect in shaping body image and health behaviors.

Keywords: Weight cycling; relational dialectics theory; contrapuntal analysis; dieting

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Citation

Abetz, J. S., Romo, L. K., Mueller, K. A., & Obiol, M. (2025). Exploring How Weight Cyclers Negotiate Weight-Related Cultural Discourses. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 9(2), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16246

Abetz, J. S., Romo, L. K., Mueller, K. A., and Obiol, M. (2025). Exploring How Weight Cyclers Negotiate Weight-Related Cultural Discourses. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 9(2), pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16246

Abetz JS, Romo LK, Mueller KA, Obiol M. Exploring How Weight Cyclers Negotiate Weight-Related Cultural Discourses. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2025;9(2), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16246

Abetz, Jenna S., Lynsey K. Romo, Katelin A. Mueller, and Mary Obiol. "Exploring How Weight Cyclers Negotiate Weight-Related Cultural Discourses". American Journal of Qualitative Research 2025 9 no. 2 (2025): 1-19. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16246

Abetz, Jenna S. et al. "Exploring How Weight Cyclers Negotiate Weight-Related Cultural Discourses". American Journal of Qualitative Research, vol. 9, no. 2, 2025, pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16246

Abetz JS, Romo LK, Mueller KA, Obiol M. Exploring How Weight Cyclers Negotiate Weight-Related Cultural Discourses. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2025;9(2):1-19. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16246