- major contributors.
- Cultural Shifts: Larger bodies are becoming more accepted and celebrated, reducing societal pressure to diet obsessively.
- Genetics and Environment: Genetics, combined with environmental factors such as stress and access to healthful foods, play a role in shaping body sizes.
Not a ‘cosmetic concern’
Social media has undeniably changed the way we connect, consume, and live. But while its influence has brought many positives, such as global connectivity and access to information, it also has a darker side: its subtle yet significant contribution to rising obesity rates, which the World Health Organization reports has doubled since 1990.
From promoting unhealthy habits to encouraging sedentary behavior, social media plays a role in shaping lifestyles that may lead to weight gain. While big might be beautiful, the Mayo Clinic warns that “obesity isn’t just a cosmetic concern.”
“It’s a medical problem that increases the risk of many other diseases and health problems,” writes the clinic of the 2.5 billion global adults who are overweight. “Health issues include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea and certain cancers.”
