If you’ve spent any time in front of a screen lately, you may have noticed an unsettling trend begin to grow. Influencers showcasing “what I eat in a day” routines, extreme workout regimens, celebrities overusing Ozempic and body-focused transformation pictures under the guise of healthy weight-loss. At first glance, much of this seems harmless but beneath the trends and celebrity advertisements, a darker idea is being shared: thinness equals worth.
The desire towards thinness is not a new phenomenon. With ‘heroin-chic’ supermodels captivating the 90s and the body shaming of the early 2000s, #SkinnyTok and Ozempic are just the latest iteration of society’s obsession with extreme thinness. With social media and the rapid adoption of weight-loss drugs, there is a new environment towards body image– one that experts like Paula Edwards-Gayfield, a licensed professional counselor and NEDA board member believe has detrimental effects on people. “I hear, ‘You’re not good enough. You’re not trying hard enough,” Edwards-Gayfield said for an interview with Today, “what’s underlying [is] this core belief that I’m not good enough.”
#SkinnyTok was a corner of TikTok where creators showcased restrictive eating routines, low-calorie recipes and overall body-focused content. Videos often framed restrictive ideas as “discipline,” “tough love,” or “hard truths,” with popular phrasings such as “You don’t need a treat. You’re not a dog,” spreading a negative relationship towards food.
On the surface the posts may appear wellness-oriented, but registered dietitians like Andrea Mathis warn that there is a slippery slope between self-care and restrictive eating practices. “Intentional weight loss is sometimes the right thing to suggest,” Mathis said on her blog, “Maybe it starts one way, but the more you [restrict] with that mindset, it can turn into obsession.” Social media seems to lack celebration of the relationship between food and movement; instead, the focus has shifted solely to appearance, with thinness as the ideal believed to lead one to success.
A 2024 research study by Madison Blackburn and Rachel Hogg confirms that these messages are harmful. Even limited time exposure to pro-anorexia content (whether implicit or explicit) can impact body image and encourage internalization of unrealistic beauty standards. This research notes that this may “potentially [increase] one’s risk of developing disordered eating beliefs.”
#SkinnyTok is not something that has gone unnoticed by people in positions of power. France’s Minister for Digital Media, Clara Chappaz, said the content was “revolting and absolutely unacceptable.” TikTok has since blocked #SkinnyTok search results, redirecting users to resources for managing body image issues, including the National Alliance for Eating Disorders hotline.
Body-positive advocate, and author of “We Don’t Make Ourselves Smaller Here”, Megan Jayne Crabbe said that banning a hashtag is only “a surface-level plaster to a very deep wound. We are still deeply fatphobic as a society.”
The physical consequences of restrictive eating are alarming, including bone loss, osteoporosis, cognitive decline, gastrointestinal issues, heart problems and even death. Eating disorders remain one of the deadliest psychiatric conditions.
Weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and other GLP-1 agonists have also surged in popularity. A 2025 RAND survey found 11.8% of Americans have used GLP-1 drugs and 14% are interested in them. Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Kelly Clarkson and James Corden have all admitted to using weight-loss drugs. Serena Williams is a spokeswoman for Ro, the GLP-1 alternative. The rise in the use of GLP-1 medications reflects a cultural shift towards extreme thinness that has become medicalized.
To navigate this terrain, raise awareness of trends like #SkinnyTok and how influencers may affect your perception of health and self-worth. Report harmful content, and consult licensed dietitians, therapists or medical professionals if you are concerned about weight loss or disordered eating.
Edwards-Gayfield said it best, “You may be able to learn some tips on social media that can help you meet your fitness goals… but you can’t hate yourself healthy.”
The convergence of #SkinnyTok, social media and the growing visibility of weight-loss drugs represents a change in body image. While regulatory interventions like TikTok’s ban can help, remain cautious of unrealistic beauty ideals. Focus on taking care of your body by providing it with proper nutrition, exercise and rest.
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