What is body shaming?
Trigger warning: this article discusses eating disorders.
In an era dominated by social media, beauty standards, and an ever-evolving cultural landscape, body shaming has become increasingly prevalent, affecting many individuals across diverse backgrounds. Body shaming, which can refer to age, gender, socio-economic status, and various other characteristics, is the act of negatively critiquing and judging someone based on their physical appearance.
Recent stats show that 94% of teen girls have experienced body shaming, and many adults are likewise discontented with their bodies. These reports reinforce the need for open conversations around body shaming whether in health and fitness spaces or otherwise.
Defining body shaming
Body shaming is a form of social and cultural criticism that involves making negative and derogatory comments, judgments, or evaluations about an individual's physical appearance. This can encompass various aspects of the body, including weight, size, shape, height, skin color, and other perceived flaws.
Body shaming often perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards, contributing to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and negative body image in the individuals who are targeted. This phenomenon can occur in various settings, including interpersonal interactions, media representations, and online platforms.
The influencer factor in body shaming
In recent years, the rise of influencer and social media culture has significantly influenced societal perceptions of beauty and body image. While these platforms provide a space for self-expression and connection, they also contribute to the prevalence of body shaming in various ways.
Idealized beauty standards
Influencers often project an idealized version of beauty, promoting specific body types, features, and lifestyles. For example, consider the TikTok “clean girl” aesthetic: these forms of media often depict conventionally attractive, slim, and heteronormative women who snack on matcha lattes and buddha bowls and attend 11am pilates classes. Between diet culture undertones and falsely narrow images of “health,” these representations impose implicit body shaming within the social media sphere.
This curated representation can create unrealistic standards that followers may feel pressured to emulate. Individuals who don't conform to these ideals may perceive themselves falling short of the portrayed perfection. In other words, if you don’t resemble Clean Girl or whatever else is trending mainstream, it’s hard to see yourself represented in cultural images of health.
Filtered reality
Social media platforms allow users to apply filters and editing tools, enabling influencers to present a highly edited version of their appearance. This filtered reality can distort perceptions of beauty, making it difficult for followers to distinguish between reality and digitally altered images. For instance, many images take great efforts to disguise rolls, cellulite, bloated tummies, and other common features of nearly every body, which in turn abnormalizes these features so as to make them into perceived flaws. As a result, individuals may compare themselves unfavorably to these manipulated representations.
Forms of body shaming
Weight-based body shaming
One of the most common forms of body shaming is centered around weight and shape. Individuals who don’t conform to conventional beauty standards may face derogatory comments or social exclusion. No single body is exempt from body shaming, and it can lead to the development of body image issues, eating disorders, and a negative impact on overall mental health.
People who are overweight may face discriminatory comments in all kinds of settings, mainly where others refer to their size or weight as the underlying cause of other problems. The classic example is unfortunately in medical settings, where medical professionals sometimes dismiss patients’ health concerns and misdiagnose their weight as the cause of their symptoms. According to studies about the links between body shaming and health consequences, some professionals even argue that “social pressure is justified to promote weight loss.” Yikes.
Many women-identifying individuals with highly developed musculature also face these issues. For example, many athletic brands fail to design clothing that comfortably fits athletic thighs and strong shoulders, despite targeting athletes in their marketing. The implication? If you don’t fit these clothes, you don’t fit the image of an athlete or fit person.
People who are slender or underweight likewise face discriminatory and body shaming comments, but they’re not always openly offensive. Regardless of good intentions, compliments can actually be exclusionary. For instance, a compliment on someone’s weight loss can imply that the recipient was less attractive or valuable when they were heavier.
Appearance-based body shaming
Body shaming is not solely confined to weight-related concerns; it extends to judgments about other physical attributes as well. People may face criticism for their skin color, facial features, height, or any characteristic that deviates from societal norms. These criticisms perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute unrealistic beauty standards.
Gender-based body shaming
Men and women alike can experience body shaming based on gender stereotypes. Women are often pressured to conform to slim and curvaceous ideals, while men may face criticism for not adhering to hyper-masculine and muscular expectations.
Body shaming has specific and often amplified effects on transgender and genderqueer individuals who may identify outside of traditional gender categories or express their gender identity in ways that challenge societal norms. These individuals may be at an increased risk of mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, due to the added stress of navigating a world that may not fully accept or understand their gender identity and expression.
Effects of body shaming
Mental health impact
Body shaming can have severe consequences on an individual's mental health. Constant criticism and judgment can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. Negative body image can create a perpetual cycle of self-loathing and contribute to a decline in overall well-being.
Eating disorders
Individuals subjected to body shaming, particularly related to weight, may develop disorders such as anorexia nervosa, orthorexia, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, or body dysmorphic disorder. The pressure to conform to societal standards can drive unhealthy behaviors surrounding food and exercise.
Social withdrawal
The emotional toll of body shaming can lead to social withdrawal and isolation. Individuals may avoid social interactions due to fear of judgment or develop a sense of shame about their bodies, impacting their relationships and overall quality of life.
Healthcare neglect
Individuals who experience body shaming may be reluctant to seek medical care, fearing judgment or discrimination from healthcare professionals. This avoidance can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment of health issues.
Combating body shaming
Promoting body positivity and acceptance
Encouraging body positivity involves celebrating diversity and challenging narrow beauty standards. By fostering a culture that values and respects all body types, sizes, and shapes, we can work towards dismantling the harmful effects of body shaming.
Support systems
Building support systems and encouraging open dialogue can be instrumental in helping you and others cope with the effects of body shaming. Friends, family, and mental health professionals play crucial roles in providing emotional support and guidance.
Educational initiatives
Educating yourself about body shaming involves gaining knowledge and understanding of the concept, its manifestations, and its impact on individuals and society. Here are some steps you can take to educate yourself about body shaming:
Articles and media: Explore articles, books, films, and academic literature on body shaming. Look for resources written by psychologists, sociologists, and activists who provide insights into the causes and consequences of body shaming.
Follow inclusive accounts: Engage with influencers and activists that promote body positivity and inclusivity and share information, personal stories, and resources related to combating body shaming.
Engage in conversations: Join conversations and discussions about body shaming in both online and offline spaces. Engaging with diverse perspectives can broaden your understanding and help you develop empathy for the experiences of others.
Learn about eating disorders: Understand the link between body shaming and eating disorders. Familiarize yourself with the signs, symptoms, and psychological aspects of disorders.
Reflect on your own biases: Take the time to reflect on your own beliefs and biases related to body image. Consider how societal influences may have shaped your perspectives, and be open to challenging and unlearning harmful attitudes.
