The phrase “when you think you feel hungry, you’re actually thirsty, so just drink water and you’ll be fine,” was a common refrain in the early 2000s. This seemingly harmless statement, however, reveals a deep-seated fatphobia that permeated the culture, contributing to the rise of disordered eating among young women. The impact of this messaging is undeniable, as evidenced by the viral tweet from American writer and comedian Lucy Huber, which captured the sentiment perfectly.
The early aughts were a period of relentless body shaming, with celebrities like Britney Spears facing scrutiny for their bodies and movie plots portraying average-sized women as unattractive. This societal pressure led to a surge in disordered eating fads and extreme workout regimes, as individuals sought to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.
While body positivity has gained mainstream traction in recent years, with major clothing brands embracing inclusivity and celebrities advocating self-love, a new wave of wellness trends is emerging. These trends often involve the promotion of metabolism-enhancing powders, appetite-reducing vitamins, and detox teas, raising questions about whether we have truly evolved our attitudes toward fatness or simply shifted the methods of engaging in disordered eating.
Accredited nutritionist Charlotte Mei emphasizes the distinction between disordered eating and an eating disorder, clarifying that disordered eating encompasses a broader range of behaviors that negatively impact an individual’s quality of life. These behaviors involve a preoccupation with food, weight, and body image, often accompanied by feelings of guilt, shame, and rigid rules around eating.
The introduction of dietary supplements, often marketed as hunger-suppressing vitamins, laxative detox milkshakes, and fat-burning tablets, exacerbates the problem. These products exploit the current emphasis on self-care and wellness, contributing to the normalization of disordered eating behaviors. The internet and social media, with their constant barrage of targeted information, have further fueled this trend.
The influence of celebrities like Bella Hadid and Gwyneth Paltrow, who promote extreme diets and restrictive eating habits on social media platforms, further reinforces the idea that thinness is attainable and desirable. This creates a vicious cycle, where body positivity is compromised by the relentless pursuit of unrealistic ideals.
To combat this, Mei advocates for a more holistic approach to body acceptance, urging individuals to honor their hunger and fullness cues, challenge societal pressures, and make peace with food. By fostering a mindful relationship with food and celebrating the pleasure of eating, individuals can move towards a healthier and more sustainable approach to body image.
True body positivity requires a fundamental shift in mentality, one that goes beyond surface-level acceptance and embraces a deeper understanding of food and body image. This journey takes time and effort, but by challenging societal norms and prioritizing a healthy and fulfilling relationship with food, we can ultimately break free from the cycle of disordered eating.
