All articles tagged with #body image
A surge in women adopting strength training is driven by midlife health concerns, particularly bone density loss. While experts praise the shift away from cardio-only routines, critics warn that new 'strong' ideals often still prioritize thinness, potentially replacing one body standard with another. Sustainable habits and adequate rest are emphasized to prevent injury and disordered eating.
Experts warn that the rise of AI-generated models on social media and in advertising is creating new, unattainable beauty standards that harm young people's body image. While AI can offer diversity if prompted correctly, it often defaults to narrow, unrealistic ideals that are difficult to distinguish from reality, potentially exacerbating eating disorders and self-esteem issues among youth.
Sylvester Stallone's admission of suffering from bulimia while preparing for 'Rambo' and 'Rocky III' has triggered a broader discussion on the rising, yet often hidden, prevalence of eating disorders among men. Experts warn that societal pressures for muscularity and 'perfection' are driving a dangerous trend, particularly among adolescents, leading to severe physical consequences like cardiac arrest and organ damage.
Sylvester Stallone’s recent admission of suffering from bulimia while preparing for 'Rambo' and 'Rocky III' has sparked a broader conversation about the rising prevalence of eating disorders among men. While Stallone described his extreme dieting and steroid use as a 'body-worship' obsession, experts warn that societal pressures for muscularity are driving a hidden epidemic. The disclosure, part of his new memoir 'The Steps,' underscores the severe physical toll of such practices, including heart damage and electrolyte imbalances, and highlights the stigma that prevents many men from seeking help.
Viral videos promoting lymphatic drainage massages for 'debloating' and waist sculpting lack scientific backing for healthy individuals, though experts acknowledge temporary relaxation benefits. While celebrities endorse the practice, medical professionals warn that such treatments do not cause fat loss and are unnecessary for those without diagnosed conditions like lymphoedema. Critics highlight that social media visuals often use filters or poses to exaggerate results, potentially fueling body insecurities. For most people, regular exercise and hydration suffice for lymphatic health, and medical advice should come from professionals rather than online trends.
Pete Davidson publicly criticized the online harassment of his ex-fiancée Ariana Grande, calling the scrutiny 'fucked up' in a new Variety interview. While Davidson expressed concern, he noted that Grande is resilient and capable of handling the pressure. The comments follow Grande's recent announcement to step back from public visibility due to ongoing weight-related criticism. Davidson also clarified that he and Grande are not in contact but remain on good terms, while highlighting his own recent career shifts toward serious acting and fatherhood.
A reader asks the Washington Post’s 'Say More' column how to respond to her 65-year-old mother, who has lost significant weight using GLP-1 medication but is upset that family members, particularly the reader, have not explicitly complimented her appearance. The reader acknowledges her mother looks and feels great but feels uncomfortable offering body-focused praise, creating a conflict between her mother’s desire for validation and the reader’s personal boundaries regarding commenting on women’s bodies.
Eli Lilly’s sponsorship of Vogue World: Milano has triggered sharp criticism from health experts and charities, who argue the partnership normalizes medical weight loss as a beauty standard. While the event featured plus-size models, critics contend the association between a major pharmaceutical brand and high fashion reinforces harmful thinness ideals.
As GLP-1 weight‑loss medications become more common, families are navigating how to discuss the drugs with children. Experts advise neutral, non‑weight‑focused language, modeling intuitive eating, and letting kids drive the conversation to avoid reinforcing dieting culture, while acknowledging that these meds can change eating habits and body size.
British sprinter Amy Hunt condemned Sydney Sweeney’s controversial sports-betting advert, saying it could become a barrier to girls’ participation in sport. After clocking a season-best 22.10 seconds in the 200m final in Budapest, Hunt argued that role models should showcase what bodies can do, not how they look, highlighting that 64% of young girls drop out of exercise before 16. She noted her breakthrough season with four European Championship golds and said sport isn’t always pretty, adding that the reaction to the ad has largely eclipsed the broader discussion about empowering girls to participate in sport.
Sandra Bullock says her Miss Congeniality transformation relied on Spanx and padding—calling the dress “a walking Spanx”—and notes much of what viewers see isn’t her real body, prompting renewed calls for honesty about actors’ onscreen physiques.
A Yahoo Life investigation shows American teenagers increasingly turning to unapproved peptide injections to alter their appearance, prompted by looksmaxxing influencers and social media. Teens can order lab-made peptides like MT-2, GH-KCU, IGF-1, and CMAX for at-home use, despite these substances lacking FDA approval and being intended for research only. The piece follows a 16-year-old peer,
The piece explains how trends focused on appearance can heighten insecurity, but not every concern signals a disorder. Experts say body dysmorphia may be present when fixation on flaws disrupts functioning, thoughts, or mood; anxiety can also manifest as an all-consuming getting-ready routine. Practical guidance includes practicing body neutrality, limiting mirror-checking, unfollowing toxic accounts, and seeking help from a therapist or dietitian if worries interfere with daily life or well-being.
Entourage creator Doug Ellin pushed back on Debi Mazar's claims that the show had a toxic set after her second birth, calling the remarks 'disgusting,' and saying he never discussed her body and would embrace any woman who becomes pregnant.
Midlife adults, especially women, can develop or relapse into eating disorders during menopause and life transitions, a phenomenon often overlooked as it doesn’t fit the teen archetype. Experts note hormonal shifts, aging, and a culture fixated on dieting contribute to symptoms like restriction or bingeing, while access to compassionate, flexible care—often virtual and weight-inclusive—offers paths to recovery and connection.