In an era defined by the widespread use of GLP-1 medications and increased public transparency regarding cosmetic procedures, discussions surrounding human bodies have become ubiquitous. Yet, despite the frequency of these conversations, there remains significant uncertainty regarding how to engage with them appropriately. This tension is frequently highlighted by media coverage of public figures, such as Ariana Grande, leaving many to wonder how to address the topic without causing harm.
Dr. Tom Hildebrandt, director of the Center for Eating and Weight Disorders at Mount Sinai hospital in New York, describes the current climate as a “whiplash moment.” He notes that the body positivity movement of the 2010s encouraged a mainstream push to “accept all body sizes, shapes and types.” However, with the rise of GLP-1 drugs, the trajectory toward acceptance took a “hard right turn,” leading media outlets to revert to an idealization of weight loss.
This shift has fundamentally altered our vocabulary. Dr. Ulrike Schmidt, a professor of eating disorders at King’s College London, explains that the current focus has moved toward “optimizing” one’s body and appearance. This cultural obsession is amplified by social media, which has made commentary on others’ physical appearance both more visible and more pervasive. Jessica Scheer, CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association (Neda), warns that most of this online commentary is speculative and almost universally harmful.
The impact of such discourse is significant. A 2023 report by the Butterfly Foundation, an Australian charity, revealed that 57% of young people expressed dissatisfaction with their appearance, with 49% noting that these feelings sometimes prevented them from attending school. Schmidt emphasizes that even seemingly innocent comments about weight or shape can backfire, as many patients in her clinical practice trace the onset of their eating disorders to remarks about their bodies—whether those comments were intended as criticisms or compliments. “In clinic, we often hear that these kinds of congratulatory comments made them think they are only acceptable, attractive and desirable if they are a certain weight or physique,” she says.
When navigating these conversations, experts suggest that context is paramount. Hildebrandt notes that a discussion in a physician’s office carries a different weight than commentary posted on a public social media account. For those who find themselves in uncomfortable conversations with acquaintances or colleagues, Hildebrandt suggests treating body talk like mundane small talk about the weather. “I tell people to be bored by it,” he advises. By signaling disinterest or changing the subject, one can often encourage others to move on quickly. This strategy is also effective for individuals who feel personally triggered by discussions of body size.
For parents dealing with children who express negative views about their own bodies, Schmidt recommends asking, “What makes you say that?” to uncover whether the child is mirroring adult behavior or experiencing bullying. Hildebrandt takes a different approach with his own children, framing public body discourse as “lazy” marketing designed to capture attention by assigning value to specific body types. He advocates for a proactive shift in focus, suggesting that the best way to counter this trend is to become “more interested in something else.”
Intergenerational conversations present their own challenges. Hildebrandt notes that older relatives may use the same words but with different meanings, such as a grandparent viewing weight loss as a sign of success or health rather than a aesthetic goal. He suggests engaging with their underlying intent rather than focusing on the literal phrasing to avoid unnecessary friction. Regarding online forums, Scheer strongly advises against participating in public speculation. She warns that critical discourse regarding a person’s weight can act as a “digital reinforcement” that fuels harmful behaviors, particularly if an eating disorder is already present. Ultimately, as Hildebrandt concludes, “None of us have the ability to control other people,” but we can choose how we engage with the noise. The report also notes that discussion about people’s bodies is rife, i n the age of Ozempic and people being open about plastic surgery. The report also notes that we asked experts how one might respond in various contexts. The report also notes that you may not want to get involved, if an acquaintance or colleague brings up another person or celebrity’s body: When someone you aren’t very close to engages in body talk. The report also notes that “But it’s a very low-level social connection; it doesn’t have much meaning to it.”. The report also notes that “Depending on the origins of the comment, the response may need to be quite different,” Schmidt says. The report also notes that the antidote, he says – in these conversations and in general – is to actively pursue other interests.
