03/12/2026
Lately I’ve been feeling increasingly concerned about a trend that seems to be gaining momentum again... the promotion of extreme thinness as the ideal body.
Between Hollywood images and wellness influencers selling powders, supplements and programs promising dramatic leanness, the message of "thinner is better" is alarming. The skeletal and emaciated look of an undernourished body screams neglect, not health. The bodies being promoted are often not realistic, not sustainable and most importantly, not a remote reflection of health.
As someone who has spent well over a decade working with clients to build healthy relationships with food and nourishing their bodies, I am appalled and find this deeply troubling.
True health is not about chasing the lowest possible number on a scale or achieving a body that requires constant restriction, stress and obsession. Healthy bodies are bodies that can function, perform, think clearly, move freely, recover well, and sustain energy for daily life. They are bodies that are NOURISHED, not deprived.
Extreme leanness often comes at a cost: disrupted hormones, poor sleep, fatigue, increased anxiety, nutrient deficiencies, weakened immunity, cognitive decline, loss of muscle/bone density, hair loss, infertility, chronic injuries and a constant mental battle with hunger and restriction. These are not signs of wellness and health.
What worries me most is the message this sends, especially to younger women and men who are trying to figure out what “healthy” looks like especially with all the AI images, filters and noise of social media.
Health should feel sustainable. It should allow for joy, flexibility, strength, nourishment and longevity. Bodies are meant to be fed, fueled, supported, nurtured and respected, not pushed to extremes for aesthetics, trends, social media likes or virality.
Here is my message I hope people will embrace: A healthy body is not defined by thinness. A healthy body is one that is cared for, nourished and capable of living a full & joyful life.
We all deserve better, please embrace pursuing health and nourish your body.