Why Diet Culture is Toxic

By: Amen Abdissa

TW: The following article contains information on certain topics such as eating disorders, weight, body image, and etc.

Through the times of the Paleolithic Era all the way to the twenty-first century, the ideal body type has encountered many modifications. Due to the continuous progression of technological advancements during the late twenty and twenty-first century, mass media has possessed a large influence on beauty standards (primarily for women). With diet culture associated with the beauty standard, it, unfortunately, has completely distorted the entire idea of health and body image.

Harmful, especially for teens. Statistics show that today seventy-five percent of teens ages 13-17 are active at least on one social media platform and social media is the core of body insecurity.

In today’s terms, the “dream body” for women is typically an hourglass shape with a small waist, slim thighs, and large breasts/butts or just "skinny". This “perfect” body has been emphasized by diet culture and the fitness world. Clothing stores and advertisements display women in this figure with the help of photoshop, and plastic surgery procedures are taking place. While there isn’t anything wrong with wanting to look a certain way to the extent where physical altercations occur, it’s how this standard is held to the point where you are only considered beautiful if you appear to look this way. It encourages acts of fat-shaming and is destroying the whole concept of confidence and self-love.

Diet culture emphasizes “only eat this food”, “avoid eating this”, “don’t eat at this time of day”, “eat this many calories”, “body fat is bad”, “ small portions are good”, “this weight is bad”, “this weight is good,” and etc. The issue is that these claims are being projected for one goal and one goal only which is to fit the standard. Why are we determining our health based on physical appearance rather than what occurs in our systems? Food is being looked like something to be scared of rather than a source of fuel to function. There isn’t anything wrong with paying attention to what we consume, it’s what the intentions are behind it. It’s great to want to eat foods like fruits and vegetables for many health benefits will occur, but yet again diet culture influences the idea that eating it will make us look skinnier, and going on fad diets that aren’t healthy or sustainable will make us beautiful. Venus Libido by Me

Now I’m not saying you should just forget about your weight goals and go eat a box of donuts I’m saying diet culture is toxic, but I’m addressing how diet culture is pressuring us to follow these certain guidelines for approval. Losing weight or gaining weight is great as long as you're actually being healthy (not appearance-wise) and doing this for yourself and not what someone expects out of you. This influence by diet culture has led to concerning behaviors such as skipping meals, working out excessively, and eating small portions. Along with taking extreme measures that can, unfortunately, result in eating disorders which sadly still takes place today.

Even a significant amount of celebrities and well-known individuals have publicly expressed their battle with eating disorders. Despite the amazing uprising of the body inclusivity across the mass media, those within this uprising still endure fat-shaming and are being defined by their size. Lizzo, one of the main celebrities who experience harsh treatment simply because of her size.

This whole concept of body image has destroyed the confidence and self-worth of many women today and has had an effect on mental health. Diet culture was designed to make those who can’t fit the unrealistic standard feel unworthy and unsatisfied so you have to invest your time and money to make sure you are appealing for your physical appearance.

The Just, Girl Project

Please understand whether you're a 00 or you need to get personally fitted. Your worth is not identified by your size. Just try to fuel your body, eat the foods you enjoy, take care of yourself, and have the right intentions. Drop diet culture.

Written by: Amen Abdissa

Website: Human Central

Date: 4 April 2021