During a global crisis, worrying about your weight is a direct result of the pervasive influence of diet culture. It’s everywhere: social media memes showing a woman’s “before and after” transformation, the “Quarantine 15” workout challenges, and jokes about avoiding the fridge. Amidst the ongoing pandemic, these messages suggest that some would prefer to risk exposure to the virus rather than gain a few pounds.
If you’re fretting about weight gain during this unprecedented time, recognize that it’s the diet culture’s conditioning at play. We’ve been led to believe that our value is tied to our size, and the pandemic is revealing just how deeply ingrained this mindset is. I implore you: if you’re fixated on not gaining weight during this crisis, consider the impact of your posts. We are all navigating heightened anxiety, homeschooling, work-from-home challenges, and the grief of losing touch with loved ones. Many are feeling overwhelmed by the reality of mass casualties, with images of refrigerated trucks making their rounds on the news.
What we need is space to cope in our own ways. We certainly don’t need #SayNoToQuarantine15 recipe ideas, push-up videos, or companies marketing diet products to those who are already feeling vulnerable. There’s no shame in snacking or relaxing on the couch; for many, it’s a necessary coping mechanism. If your way of dealing with stress involves rigid exercise routines and strict meal plans, that’s fine, but please avoid framing it in a way that shames others who aren’t doing the same.
Being thin doesn’t equate to being healthy, and the virus doesn’t discriminate based on fitness levels. Medical professionals, athletes, and everyday individuals alike are falling victim to COVID-19, and it’s crucial to understand that the virus doesn’t care about your workout routine or dietary choices. It’s sobering to realize how little control we have over this situation, leading many to seek control through food and exercise. However, doing this at the expense of others, particularly those in larger bodies, is simply unacceptable.
Let’s clarify: there’s a significant difference between sharing a harmless post about your own exercise journey and making statements like “distancing from junk food to avoid getting fat.” The latter implies that larger bodies are something to be feared, which is outrageous. In a time of collective anxiety, these messages can have profound effects on self-esteem and body image.
Fatphobia, often masked as humor or benign advice, can have serious consequences, including decreased access to crucial healthcare for those in larger bodies. Weight bias is prevalent in the medical field, affecting the treatment options available to many during this pandemic.
Many struggle with disordered eating, and the ongoing crisis only amplifies these issues. We are meant to be in this together, but the pandemic is starkly highlighting disparities across class, race, gender, and body size. When you post about avoiding weight gain during this time, you send a message that those who don’t fit your mold are somehow lesser.
So, let’s be clear: using a global pandemic to promote fatphobia is not clever, relatable, or justified. It’s short-sighted and harmful, contributing to societal biases during a time of immense loss. Don’t be that person.
For more insights on navigating these challenges, check out this Home Insemination Kit blog post or gain expert knowledge from Intracervical Insemination, an authority on the subject. For additional resources on pregnancy and related topics, visit Healthline.
In summary, this pandemic is not a time to perpetuate fatphobia. It’s a moment for compassion, understanding, and support as we all navigate these uncharted waters.