Image credits:nd3000 (not the actual image)
This woman had to endure her husband body-shaming her right after giving birth to their daughter
Image credits:Prostock-studio (not the actual image)
Image credits:Direct-Caterpillar77
Body shaming can have strong negative effects on the person on the receiving end
Body shaming, no matter who it’s coming from, can have strong negative effects on the person on the receiving end. Take fat shaming, for instance; in addition to the negative impact it has on one’s mental well-being, it can also make them gain weight, instead of losing it.Research suggeststhat the more exposed to weight bias and discrimination people are, the more likely they are to become obese, even if they were thin before.
The research also emphasized that fat shaming is linked to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, eating disorders, and exercise avoidance, which are detrimental to both one’s physical and mental health. Sadly, fat shaming, and body shaming in general, seems to be a global phenomenon, affecting people of all sizes and ages everywhere.
APA pointed outthat more than 40% of adults in the US, and reportedly even greater numbers abroad, experience weight-based stigma at some point of their lives, also referred to as sizeism. For Americans, physicians and coworkers are reportedly its most common sources.
Image credits:Jennifer Burk (not the actual image)
If before falling pregnant, the woman was considered underweight based on her BMI, she should gain roughly 28-40 pounds (13-18 kilograms). If her weight was considered ‘normal’ based on the index, after stepping on the scale she should expect to see a number that’s 25-35 higher, if shown in pounds (11-16 if in kilograms). Women who were considered overweight and obese might put on additional 15-25 (7-11 kg) or 11-20 (5-9 kg) pounds respectively.
Image credits:Ivan Samkov (not the actual image)
As the body changes during a pregnancy, the woman’s views towards it might too. Yetresearchon body image dissatisfaction between pregnant and non-pregnant females, based on a survey of roughly 5000 of the former and 4000 of the latter, found that their body image dissatisfaction was not statistically different during pregnancy compared with when not pregnant.
The research emphasized that the individuality of the experience of carrying a child seems to be paramount when it comes to the body changes women go through. It also found that it’s the internalization of the thin ideal that influences them more than simply being aware of such an ideal and the pressures it often entails. But the importance of ensuring a healthy pregnancy and the development of the fetus was found to be larger than the importance of such internalization.
Image credits:Andres Ayrton (not the actual image)
Netizens criticized both the husband and the woman’s family members who took his side
Justinas Keturka
Monika Pašukonytė
Mindaugas Balčiauskas
Family
