Body image v/s Health

written by : aarushi patel

edited by : aahana

According to Women’s Health, women with apositive body image are more likely to have a good mental health. With this growing trend toward acceptance, many are discouraging those who body shame and mock someone for their body shape and size.

According to Women’s Health, women with a positive body image are more likely to have a good mental health. With this growing trend toward acceptance, many are discouraging those who body shame and mock someone for their body shape and size.

A few years ago, Bill Maher encouraged fat shaming on his show, 'Real Time with Bill Maher', however, James Corden called him out for his fat shaming segment. Corden, who spoke of his own body image and health, used scientific reports to back up his arguments that mocking other people's bodies can actually lead to more harm. "There's a common and insulting misconception that fat people are stupid and lazy, and we're not,” Corden said. “We get it, we know. We know that being overweight isn't good for us and I've struggled my entire life trying to manage my weight and I suck at it. I've had good days and bad months." But in the midst of all the positive comments on body image, some health professionals are worried that people are forgetting about how important it is to look after their health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, being overweight is a major health risk factor. Obesity has many negative effects such as high cholesterol, increased risk of stroke, and it is the root cause of many heart diseases. Conversely, people who are severely underweight are more exposed to diseases as they don’t have a strong immune system and lack hemoglobin. "The latest science is quite clear that excess weight can carry considerable health risks, including a higher risk for heart attack and stroke," Dr. Jorge Plutzky. People can achieve a healthy body weight by maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated and getting the required amount of exercise and sleep.

A healthy body increases energy levels and self-esteem, and it supports a healthier immune system and boosts overall health. But a round up of 15 research papers and articles from Michigan Medicine prove that the treatment for obesity cannot adopt a “one size fits all” approach. This indicates that everybody does not need to be of the same size and shape.

A high school teacher I interviewed says that there should be a balance and the diet should be in correct proportions. “In high school, there are always extremes. Like people who will starve themselves thinking they are going to lose weight but it never happens,” she said. “It is kind of like the idea of moderation. It is okay to have a chocolate chip cookie but not a whole pack of it. But you don’t have to starve yourself off cookies because your body needs sugar, especially for teenagers who are growing. It is definitely tough for the kids with the social media and filters nowadays. In reality people have pimples, flaws and extra weight.”