For over a decade, obesity has been a major health issue in the United States. While awareness of this trend has been helping to encourage a more health-conscious society overall, it has also led to some toxic cultural trends that harm people emotionally. Most people who are overweight or obese have experienced body shaming or "fat-shaming" to some degree, which can have major consequences for mental health and well-being.
In response to body shaming, the body positivity movement has sprung up, with the aim of helping people to love the body they're in, whether they're trying to lose weight or not. Obviously, the body positivity trend is great from a confidence and mental health perspective.
Body shaming isn't a new concept, but it's become even more widespread and toxic thanks to the reach of the internet and social media. If you're not familiar with the term, it simply means negative comments about a person's body that are demeaning, cruel, and/or humiliating. Unfortunately, many people make these kinds of comments online without a second thought.
But we also have to acknowledge that obesity rates have been rising and affecting the health of many Americans.
While some people are overweight for medical and metabolic reasons, we've been seeing higher rates of obesity overall in the last few decades. There are many factors that go into this trend, including a lack of economic access to healthy food, not having safe places to exercise, and not getting reliable information about nutrition and physical activity. We see especially high rates of childhood obesity in lower-income states like Louisiana (19.1 percent of children ages 10-17, vs. 15.8 percent for the country as a whole) for many of these reasons.
Unfortunately, obesity, especially when it begins during childhood, can have a major impact on health. Cardiovascular issues, type 2 diabetes risks, bone and joint pain, and many other health problems can arise from being overweight or obese. We need to acknowledge these realities while preventing harmful body shaming that doesn't help anyone who is overweight.
It's always important to love your body and to feel proud of who you are. It's also important to make a healthy diet and exercise a core habit that continues throughout your lifetime. Many people who are overweight do prioritize their health in these ways, which is why body shaming that hides behind concern for a person's health is just as toxic as overt shaming.
With that said, people who don't exercise or eat enough healthy foods may be at risk for major health problems due to obesity. Children and adults alike can set themselves up for a healthy life in a number of different ways, including: not thinking of food as "good" or "bad," reducing sugar intake, eating nutrient-dense foods, only eating when hungry, participating in physical activities, prioritize health over weight.
The good news is that social media influencers have the power to help (as well as hurt) this entire situation. Recently, more Instagram influencers are showing their real bodies, instead of retouched photos, encouraging body positivity, and rejecting shaming behavior. People can be happier in their bodies when they see that they are normal and beautiful — and when they realize that social media doesn't always reflect reality.
Social media has been part of the problem, but it can also become part of the solution. We need positive social media to help people love their bodies and treat them kindly. Body positivity can help with emotional and mental health, which are important for maintaining good physical health.
The body positivity movement isn't at odds with the goal of addressing the obesity epidemic — not at all. The key is to help everyone have a good relationship with exercise and food. Some people naturally weigh more or less than others, and that's totally OK! But we need to stop criticizing and shaming others as we move toward a healthier society.