The Negative Impact of Diet Culture on Your Well-being
- jennytheissignutri
- 17. Mai 2024
- 9 Min. Lesezeit
Have you ever been in a fast-food restaurant and watched a larger person order a large meal with a dessert and caught yourself thinking “She doesn’t need another burger” or seen a slim girl eating a burger and thought “Good for you, enjoy your burger!” You are not alone; I have thought these judgmental thoughts too. I wish I hadn’t, but I have (though I do my best to correct these kinds of thoughts now). This is a prime example of Diet Culture. We jump to conclusions about what someone should or shouldn’t be eating based on what their body looks like. We have no right to make comments or assumptions about someone’s food choices based on their size. We have no idea what someone's health, nutrition, and movement habits look like, yet we jump to conclusions based on their appearance. We need to understand what diet culture is and how it impacts our choices in food and movement.
Diet culture and idolized body types are not new. They have existed for thousands of years. The desirable body type has changed many times throughout history and the strong impact these social expectations have on people's attitudes towards food and exercise. Ancient Egyptians strived to be slender with narrow shoulders, a high waist, and a symmetrical face while the ancient Greeks wanted plump full-bodied women and light skin, and the women of the Han dynasty desired slim waists, pale skin, large eyes, and tiny feet (hence the practice of binding children’s feet to stunt their growth). We can see this in the portrayal of women in art and literature. We see this changing body ideal continue to shift between the thin ideal (the 1920s flapper, the Twiggy look of the 1960’sof the 1960s, and the heroin-chic of the 1990s) and the more hourglass look of Victorian England, Hollywood’s golden age (think Marilyn Monroe) and to a degree the current desirable form which emphasizes a large bottom and breasts with a flat, toned stomach. These trends only show the European standards of beauty, and each culture has its variations of these standards. Though I couldn’t find much information on the beauty ideals of non-Europeans throughout history, this brings up the issue of race when it comes to beauty standards.
We must acknowledge these Europeanized standards' impact on non-European communities. I won’t say a lot about beauty standards and race because I don’t feel well-educated on the topic but I will post a link to a study I found discussing the use of toxic beauty products as a result of these racialized standards of beauty. I feel very uncomfortable discussing this topic, but I didn’t want to leave it out as it is an important discussion point. Culture plays a big role in the beauty standards of any culture, and we see this represented in the article I have linked with the high percentage of women of color using chemical straighteners and skin lighteners in an attempt to replicate the look of these white standards of beauty. I have also observed, through friends, the differences between the fashions of Africans, Indonesians, Middle Easterners, and Europeans. Each country, culture, religion, and time period has its own
standards. When we begin to idolize one country or culture over another, we move into a racialized version of beauty. I won’t say any more about race here as I don’t believe I am the appropriate person to be discussing this topic but I didn’t want to bypass this point. The media we consume has a direct impact on how we view not only our bodies but also the bodies around us and this includes the media that is predominantly showing those of European descent.
Traditional media and the rise of social media in the last twenty years have continued to promote these unhealthy, unrealistic, and racist standards of beauty. In our hyper-connected world, the influence of media, from social media to film, television, and advertising, impacts nearly every aspect of our lives. It shapes not only our perceptions of beauty and body image but also our attitudes towards health and well-being. The persistent nature of toxic diet culture often seems inescapable. We are constantly confronted by pictures of beautiful women from actresses, celebrities, famous influencers, and even marketing campaigns, subtly implanting that this is how the ideal woman looks. Coupled with the pervasive presence of diet culture, perpetuated through advertising, social media, and entertainment, this influence has created a landscape where unrealistic beauty ideals and quick-fix solutions dominate the narrative surrounding health. As a result, many women find themselves trapped in a cycle of restrictive diets, harmful comparison, and a relentless pursuit of an unattainable standard of perfection. We pursue these standards because we have been convinced that if we just have enough self-control and discipline, we can fit into this ideal.
In this environment, the true essence of a healthy lifestyle—rooted in balance, nourishment, and self-compassion—is often overshadowed, leaving us disconnected from our bodies and held back from achieving sustainable well-being. There is so much to say in regards to diet culture and its impact on our lives but today will simply be a discussion about how our society idolizes the thin ideal (or whatever is trending at the time)and the impacts that this has on our behaviors.
Like many of you, I also grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s and looking back on many of the movies and TV shows I watched as a child, I see the negative diet and exercise images they projected on children and teenagers. Movies like Shallow Hal (2001), Norbit (1996), and Heavyweights (1995) often rely on insensitive fat jokes and negative stereotypes to deliver the storyline and create laughs. Reality TV shows like The Biggest Loser (2004-2016, 2020-present) Supersize vs. Superskinny (2008-2014) and even America’s Next Top Model promote the same narrow ideal of desirable body types. They promote criticism of people in larger bodies and idolize the thin ideal. Unfortunately, many of my favorite movies (hello Mean Girls) and TV (oh hey Big Bang Theory and Friends) shows have further reinforced these negative stereotypes. These movies and TV shows further reinforce these stereotypes and imply if we do not fit into these standards then there is something wrong with us.
What Is Diet Culture?
Before we go any further in this discussion on diet culture and unhealthy beauty standards, I want to clarify what I mean by diet culture. Diet culture refers to a set of beliefs and values that prioritize thinness, dieting, and weight loss above health and well-being. It promotes the idea that being thin is the ultimate goal of health, beauty, and success and that achieving this goal requires strict adherence to restrictive diets and intense exercise regimes. Diet culture often perpetuates harmful myths and stereotypes about body size, such as equating thinness with discipline and willpower and equating larger body sizes with laziness, lack of self-control, and poor health. It can lead to disordered eating patterns, body shame, and a preoccupation with food and weight that can negatively impact physical and mental health. In other words, diet culture creates the idea that thin is good and fat is bad.
Why Is Diet Culture Problematic?
Overall, diet culture perpetuates harmful beliefs and behaviors that undermine individuals' physical and mental health, perpetuates weight stigma, and creates a culture of dissatisfaction and disconnection from our bodies. Diet culture promotes the pursuit of the thin ideal as the ultimate health goal, ignoring genetic and socio-economic factors, access to food and healthcare, and personal health status. It promotes dichotomous thinking and the moralization of food (salad = good, donuts = bad), and exercise is used as a punishment or way of earning certain foods rather than being used for its myriad of benefits to our physical and mental health. The stigmatization of larger-bodied people propelled by diet culture results in these people not being treated the same as those in smaller bodies and having their health concerns dismissed by professionals because of their size. Recognizing and challenging the harmful aspects of diet culture is essential for promoting a more inclusive, compassionate, and sustainable approach to health and well-being.
How Diet Culture Impacts Our Eating Decisions
Diet culture can have a profound impact on our eating decisions. It can create a sense of guilt and shame around food, leading us to view certain foods as "good" or "bad" and to feel like we've failed if we indulge in something that's not considered "healthy." This can lead to a preoccupation with food a disordered relationship with eating, such as bingeing or restricting, and an unhealthy relationship with exercise. Diet culture can also lead us to ignore our body's natural hunger and fullness signals, as we try to follow strict rules about what and when to eat. Additionally, diet culture can make it difficult to enjoy food and eating, as we're constantly worried about whether we're making the "right" choices or if we're consuming too many calories. Overall, diet culture can negatively impact our relationship with food and our ability to nourish our bodies in a way that feels good and sustainable. It ignores our own unique needs, tastes, personal preferences, and genetics.
How To Combat Diet Culture And Its Negative Impacts
Combatting diet culture and its negative impacts can be a challenging process, but it's possible, and as parents, this benefits not only us but also our children. Here are some strategies that you can try:
Practice body positivity: This involves embracing your body, regardless of its size or shape, and recognizing that everyone is worthy of respect and love, regardless of their appearance. In Psalm 139:14 David states “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. David shouts out his gratitude for the unique gift of God it is. Learning to embrace and practice gratitude for our bodies is key to practicing body positivity. This can help you to feel more confident and comfortable in your skin, and reject negative messages about body size and weight.
Focus on health, not weight: Rather than focusing on weight loss and dieting, shift your focus to overall health and well-being. To do this, it is essential to acknowledge that weight loss efforts are often not health-promoting. Focus instead on building healthy habits rather than fitting into the ideal body type that is perpetuated by diet culture. This involves nourishing your body with nutritious foods that you enjoy, staying physically active in ways that are attainable to you, getting enough sleep, and managing stress levels.
Challenge negative self-talk: When you find yourself engaging in negative self-talk about your body or eating habits, try to challenge these thoughts. Replace those lies that are driven by diet culture with the truth, whether that is scripture, affirmations, or inspiring and positive quotes (whichever ones work for you). Remind yourself that nobody is perfect and that it's important to enjoy all types of food regularly. I remind myself of Psalm 139 and that God has created my body to be unique. by caring for it and learning to accept it as it is, I am showing my gratitude to God.
Seek support: You are not alone. All of us struggle with thoughts of negative body image sometimes but if you feel that those thoughts are consuming you and having a profoundly negative effect on your everyday life, consider seeking support from a therapist or other mental health professional. A professional can help you to work through these negative thoughts or feelings related to body image or eating and support you through a healing and recovery process as needed. If a professional is not available to you for whatever reason, seek out a wise and compassionate friend who can help you through these kinds of negative thoughts and remind you of the truth.
Surround yourself with positive influences: Surround yourself with people and media that promote positive body image and health at every size (HAES movement). This may mean filtering your social media and muting people who may be promoting a negative or toxic beauty standard, as well as being mindful of the stereotypes being projected in the films and TV shows you are consuming. This can help you to feel more empowered and confident in your journey towards health and well-being.
Conclusion
Diet Culture and societal beauty standards are complex issues, and this article only begins to scratch the surface of these issues. The effects of culture, religion, race, and finances on the normalized beauty standards are undeniable and affect all of us. The portrayal of the thin ideal and pursuit of weight loss at the expense of our physical and mental health can have long-term detrimental effects not only on us but also on our children. Acknowledging the damaging impact of diet culture on our food and exercise choices and learning to embrace the joy of both food and movement helps to build a positive body image on a personal and social level. By seeking professional help, surrounding ourselves with positive influences, and challenging our negative self-talk, we begin to break down the power diet culture often has over our lives. By taking weight loss and the thin ideal off a pedestal, we make pursuing a healthy lifestyle not only possible but also enjoyable!
NOTE:
There are many complex themes mentioned in this article, however, it was not possible to cover all of them, and certainly not in the detail they deserve to be. I would also like to say that none of these changing beauty ideals are unhealthy for everyone. Our genetics play a large role in how our bodies look and I want to encourage you to care for your body regardless of what it looks like. My personal belief is that we should focus less on our physical appearance and more on developing a godly character and building healthy relationships than investing all our time and energy in pursuing the current trending body type.
RESOURCES:
Beauty Standards: See How Body Types Change Through History
Vanessa VanEdwards
13.11.2023
Science of People
How Racialized Beauty Norms Motivate the Use of Toxic Beauty Products Among Women of Color
Columbia University Mailman School Of Public Health
18. January 2023
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