The Deceptive Resurgence of Weight Loss Diets
In the latest, alarming twist, the fashion world appears to be sliding back into the получившей популярность снова анархии: skinniness, or the pursuit of being thinner, is back as the hype of the hour. Some individuals are willing to go to extreme lengths to shed pounds, while others are more interested in discussing why everyone should be slimmer – right now. The popular app TikTok is flooded with harsh weight loss tips that eerily remind one of the terrifying discussions seen in questionable bulimia forums. Celebrities, even those once celebrated for their curves, are once again fitting into size zero clothing. The runways seem to have rewinded back to the ’90s, with "heroin chic" making its reappearance. Skinniness is no longer just an ideal, but a status quo: if done correctly, and not overeating, anyone can achieve it–that's the message being passed around.
With several aspects of the world not functioning as efficiently as they should, the promise of calorie deficit as the solution seems to be resonating with many, much like oil sliding down a smooth surface. Some claim this trend started around a year and a half ago or in 2022, when Kim Kardashian lost considerable weight to wear Marilyn Monroe's iconic dress for the Met Gala. Another possible trigger could be the increased access to medications like Ozempic and others that aid in weight loss.
In recent times, being slim has been promoted as the desirable state again, marking a turnaround from the assumed "golden age" where body positivity and diversity were celebrated, body-shaming was scorned, and everyone was free to embrace their body type, as they wished. However, it's unclear if this "golden age" ever truly existed, lasting perhaps for a mere three seconds.
The culture of diet was never truly absent, it simply found more discrete methods to disguise itself: "intuitive eating," "clean eating," and "wellness journeys" were popular labels for practices that aimed to reduce weight, given the stigma associated with openly promoting diet tactics.
To delve deeper into this shift, it's worth taking a glance at the article "Self-hatred as a billion-dollar business" by Veronika Kracher, which denounces the Patriarchal beauty standards she encountered.
The cruel slogan "You're not okay if you don't meet a certain beauty ideal" has persisted over the years, with stretching marks splashed across social media by conventionally attractive influencers under flattering lighting, and magazine covers featuring supposed "plus-size" models with a size of 40 doing little to change that. The gospel of thinness never truly disappeared from the sermons of the so-called wellness society; it merely had a better public relations strategy: "detox" becomes "diet," "juice cleanse" replaces "malnutrition," and "becoming your best self" substitutes for "losing weight." These smooth buzzwords veil the same old, redundant message: those who are mindful, attune to their bodies, eat intuitively and exercise regularly tend to be thin. The rest are allegedly insufficient in their understanding.
One compelling theory suggests that the new dieting trend has ties to the right-wing shift in our society, but this only paints half the picture. As much as the ideal of skinniness never truly disappeared, neither did fascist tendencies. They were refined, polished, and resurfaced behind the guise of questions like "Can't you still say that?" or discussions about the "limits of free speech."
What we are witnessing isn't a return to the past, but an unveiling. In the past, one would retreat to secluded corners when mocking overweight bodies. Today, people broadcast through social media that they prefer thin bodies over larger ones and some even see chewing on ice cubes as an alternative to food consumption, without feeling discomfort. Fascism is marching openly through parliaments, streets, and comment sections, becoming the new norm. "I am essential and superior," both proclaim. No longer shrouded in secrecy, but out in the open.
Nadia Shehadeh, a sociologist and author living in Bielefeld, specializing in live music, pop absurdities, and decorative clutter, provides a unique perspective on this issue. She has been a columnist for "Missy Magazine" for a long time and has co-managed the blog "Mädchenmannschaft" for years. Her latest book, "Anti-Girlboss: Fighting Capitalism from the Couch," was published by Ullstein.
- The latest trend in the fashion world emphasizes 'science' as people seek weight loss solutions, with the rise of apps like TikTok offering extreme weight loss tips.
- 'Health-and-wellness' and 'fitness-and-exercise' are thrust into the spotlight as individuals strive to achieve the 'ideal' body, with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian serving as role models.
- 'Mental-health' becomes a concern as the pressure to conform to the 'ideal' body leads to self-hatred and unhealthy practices, such as using appetite-suppressing medications.
- 'Nutrition' is often overlooked as people resort to fad diets and 'detox' regimens, leading to malnutrition and other health issues.
- The trend of promoting skinniness as the ideal body type is intertwined with 'politics', with some suggesting it has roots in right-wing ideologies. This is reflected in the open acceptance and normalization of fascist tendencies in society, as seen in the open mockery of overweight bodies and the preference for thin bodies on social media.
