Trigger warning: Eating disorders
As long as we have been alive, humans have struggled with body image. Much
has
not changed since then, being in the 21st century it has gotten dramatically worse.
Do people still care about weight loss?
According to a study from the National Library of Medicine, in 2020 69% of
women and 59% of men reported wanting to lose weight.
There is always a double standard. Where people choose to lose a lot of weight
because it is deemed acceptable by society, or what is considered “beautiful.” Most
People will always care about the judgment of others even if they don't want to and that
will trigger some people to want to look a certain way or have a certain type of body.
12th grade Sofia Palhano says, “Feeling pressured by weight goes both ways,
but it's more common now for people my age to feel as if they only look good if they’re
slimmer or they won't be judged if they don't have rolls.”
Risk from losing weight at a rapid speed
While losing weight is okay it depends how fast you do it. There are a lot of
healthy ways to lose weight but also extremely unhealthy ways too. As people want to fit
a certain criterion on how to look people will take drastic measures such as starve
themselves or force themselves to throw up.
Losing weight at a rapid speed can cause eating disorders such as anorexia
nervosa or bulimia nervosa which can make a person tired/sleepy, constipation bloating,
weak bones, etc. Overall, losing weight at such a rapid pace can cause so many issues
for you physically and mentally.
Different forms of weight loss issues
Losing weight is not the problem but rather how you lose it is. It's okay to lose
weight but it can't be in an unhealthy way, such as starving yourself, taking drugs,
throwing up after you eat, and working out too much.
People need to realize these bad habits don't cause them to lose weight at a
rapid speed, they also cause so many physical problems. Losing weight in not a healthy
way is just genially not good for you.
How to help someone who is struggling with extreme weight loss
Once you realize someone is struggling with this you should be positive and
empathic to the person. Help them through their tough time and guide them to help.
You should be a good listener and try to give them tips on their weight loss
journey. To help guide them in a better direction.
12th grade student Sofia Palhano “Not everybody looks the same, so what? How
boring of a world would that be?”
Everyone is beautiful no matter your appearance, size, height, etc. We shouldn’t
let people judge us or try to make us change ourselves to feel better about ourselves.
Like Sofia says How boring of a world what that be?
