10 Reasons Why Focusing on Body Weight Causes Harm
I don’t need to tell you that we live in a society that equates body size with health, success, IQ, lovability, acceptance, etc.
The Cool Sculpting billboards, the popularity of weight loss meds, the gym bros, and the rising rates of eating disorders make it pretty dang obvious, amirite?
All of the ways in which we are bombarded, pretty much nonstop, with the message that “our bodies are not good enough as they are” makes it all too easy to succumb to the marketing campaign, because hey—they tell me I’ll be happy, healthy, successful, and lovable when I can just lose the weight so why would I not sign up for the 30 day program to finally shed that stubborn belly fat? 🙄
But here’s the thing. There is only one winner in this whole scheme:
The diet and wellness industry.
To the effect of $71 billion per year, in the U.S. alone.
The weight loss industry profits off of making sure you believe, without question, that your worth as a human is directly tied to the size of your waist, the shape of your arms, the circumference of your thighs.
“Once you arrive at the body you’ve always wanted by having enough willpower to follow my 10-step program, only then can you be happy. So cough up the money, honey.”
And, if honesty, science, and real-world results were non-negotiable within the diet industry’s marketing campaign, they would also say:
“In addition to your dollars, I’ll also need your time, energy, health, self-esteem, and peace of mind and then I’ll give you that body I am promising. For a hot minute, maybe. Yes, it’s true that only ~5% of individuals will achieve that “ideal body guarantee” in the long term, but that sure as hell isn’t our fault, you gluttonous, out-of-control failure of a human. If only you had more willpower…”
Seems crazy huh? Like, who would buy that product? Not only once or twice but over and over again, with a failure rate so high (95%) that even Blockbuster would be appalled.
Such is the persuasiveness of diet culture.
Most of us have been conditioned from the time we start kindergarten to judge so much off of body size (even though the evidence shows that weight is a very, very poor indicator of health and we all know on a deep level that our worth is not based on our size) that we don’t think to question the narrative.
It is the air we breathe and the water we swim in.
Then, we all grow up and become doctors prescribing weight loss based off of BMI alone, chronic dieters chasing that elusive number on the scale, thin people feeling morally superior to fat people, and fat people never feeling good enough.
So much harm is caused by the belief that our body size is the end-all, be-all. If you haven’t heard enough already in my introduction to this blog post, here are 10 more reasons why focusing on body weight causes harm:
10 Reasons Why Focusing on Body Weight Causes Harm
1. Promotes a negative body image
Our cultural obsession with thinness causes most individuals to, well, hate their bodies. Surprise, surprise. Why? Because most people do not fit the ideal, nor will it ever be remotely possible for most to fit the ideal.
68% of American women wear a size 16 or above. And no, it’s not because American food is “crap” and full of seed oils and “chemicals”.
The result of diet culture establishing a hierarchy of bodies considered acceptable results in feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and quite possibly the development of eating disorders in those that do not meet expectations.
2. Impacts mental health
The hyper-focus on body weight is the main contributor to dieting. Dieting is the main contributor to the development of an eating disorder. Eating disorders (specifically, Anorexia Nervosa) are the #2 cause of death from mental illness.
In addition, the pressure to achieve a specific body weight can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. It places immense stress on individuals, leading to a constant cycle of self-criticism, which takes a massive toll.
3. Encourages disordered eating habits
Any type of diet out there should actually be called “disordered eating”. Focusing solely on body weight often encourages unhealthy and restrictive eating habits. It places the emphasis on what we “should” be doing as opposed to what our bodies are telling us they need.
Cutting out whole food groups, skipping meals, fasting, and engaging in excessive exercise become common (and praised) practices, leading to a disconnection from our bodies and a loss of enjoyment in food and life.
4. Ignores Genetic Variations
Weight is complex and is influenced by so many factors, including genetics, metabolism, body composition, hormones, certain medications, lifestyle factors, socioeconomic status, etc. It is estimated that diet and exercise only account for less than ~10% of your health and/or body weight.
Your body’s healthiest weight can and will look very different than someone else’s healthiest weight.
Focusing on weight disregards the reality that bodies naturally come in different shapes and sizes, and should be celebrated no matter the shape and size. It perpetuates the notion that everyone should conform to a singular ideal, which is not only unrealistic but also unattainable and unhealthy for many.
5. Prioritizes body size at the expense of health
Most of the time, the focus on body size ignores the overall health of a person. Most health care providers are happy as long as their patient’s body weight is decreasing, no matter what practices they are engaging in to get there.
Most diet plans, diet medications, weight loss products, and exercise programs encourage unhealthy behaviors in order to achieve a number on the scale, which can leave a person in a far worse state of health.
6. Reinforces weight bias and discrimination
Weight stigma is now thought to be society’s last form of socially-acceptable discrimination. Fat jokes still abound, and most people still view people in larger bodies as “less than” and needing to change.
As a result of our obsession with thinness, people who don't conform to this thin ideal often face prejudice and mistreatment, which has documented adverse effects on health (both mental and physical).
7. Shifts the focus from self-care to external validation
When the primary focus is on achieving a specific weight, the emphasis shifts from self-care and overall well-being to external validation. Individuals are encouraged to prioritize unrealistic goals over their mental and physical health, leading to burnout and a constant sense of feeling like a failure if that goal cannot be met (it usually cannot be).
8. Distracts from health behaviors
Focusing on weight alone is always counterproductive in achieving long-term health goals. If one wants to focus on health (and this is a personal choice that should NOT be judged either way) focusing on health behaviors, learning how to tune into to the body’s messages, and trusting oneself to make these personal health decisions is far more effective and less harmful.
9. Undermines body diversity and fat positivity
Every body is unique and good, and celebrating this diversity is crucial when it comes to the mental, physical, and emotional health of all persons. By fixating on body weight, we perpetuate narrow ideals and discourage acceptance and celebration of different body shapes and sizes. Embracing body diversity promotes inclusivity and positive embodiment for all.
10. Misses out on a full life
Constantly worrying about body weight can rob individuals of the joy of living in the present moment. Life is about so much more than just the number on the scale. When we spend our time obsessing about our bodies, we miss out on the things that make life worth living: experiencing adventure, building meaningful relationships, chasing our dreams and enjoying all the pleasures of the body (taste, touch, sight, smell, sound).
Shifting the focus from body weight to holistic health and well-being is a transformative journey. Embracing our here-and-now bodies, no matter how large or small, allows individuals to cultivate self-acceptance, body attunement, positive self image, and a more profound sense of overall well-being.
By recognizing the harmful effects of focusing on body weight, we can promote a more inclusive and compassionate approach to health for ourselves and others. Let's celebrate our bodies, no matter their size, and embrace the beauty that lies within each of us.
Oh, and let’s say f*** you to diet culture because it’s the whole reason we are in this pickle in the first place. 🙃
Want to know more and get additional support in healing your relationship with food and your body?
Check out my Intuitive Eating E-book here.
Or, schedule a free call with me to determine if you’d be a good fit for virtual nutrition coaching.
