I have a hard time dealing with this kind of person. I think advising therapy or a good self-help book can be a good response to the constant reassurance-seeking. I also begin to feel manipulated after a while. Also, there are some reassurance seekers who also "butter you up" or give lots of compliments to you, like "you look beautiful today," "I like you," etc. A compliment here and there is fine, but the constancy/repetition of it makes me think they want something from me and I wish they would be more direct and just say what. I try to be gracious and accept the compliments and be kind, but I find the clinginess and constant need for reassurance tends to drive me away from them.

melissa, if it was a family member I rarely saw, I would probably just be gracious and pleasant. If they mention being fat, maybe share how you have changed your own diet recently to include more healthy foods, and offer to share a resource with them or a favorite recipe. If it is a family member you have more frequent contact with, perhaps then offer the therapy idea.