Name: The inaccurate link between body ideals and health
Uploaded: 2021-09-14T16:15:15Z
Duration: 9 min 24 s
Description: Global obesity rates are on the rise, but body shaming campaigns are doing more harm than good, says medical anthropologist Nancy N. Chen. Reflecting on how the cultural histories of body ideals have changed over time, she offers a new way to view ourselves and our health by enhancing body diversity to close the gap between what's ideal and what's real.

Global obesity rates are on the rise, but body shaming campaigns are doing more harm than good, says medical anthropologist Nancy N. Chen. Reflecting on how the cultural histories of body ideals have changed over time, she offers a new way to view ourselves and our health by enhancing body diversity to close the gap between what's ideal and what's real.

Nancy N. Chen: The inaccurate link between body ideals and health

The inaccurate link between body ideals and health

Western society's shift from curvy to thin ideals over the past century has widened the gap between average and model sizes.

The rise of orthorexia highlights the obsession with diet perfection, reflecting a broader culture of body idealization and control.

Body positivity movements challenge media's narrow ideals, advocating for diversity in appearance to reflect real-world variety.