DeepSummary
In recent years, the body positivity movement has gained traction, promoting the message of loving one's body and challenging the diet and fitness culture embodied by companies like Weight Watchers. This anti-diet movement posits that bodies can be healthy at any size and aims to fight against weight discrimination and food shaming.
However, an investigation by the Washington Post and the Examination found that major food companies, such as General Mills, have been co-opting the anti-diet movement by recruiting self-described anti-diet dieticians and influencers to promote their sugary cereals and processed snacks. These companies see an opportunity to make money by exploiting the message of self-love and acceptance.
Sasha Chavkin, a senior reporter for the Examination, believes that while the anti-diet movement raises valid concerns about weight discrimination and lack of access to healthcare, some influencers have made claims that are not consistent with nutrition science. He argues that there are elements of the anti-diet movement that have gone too far in their messaging, potentially leading to unhealthy behavior.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The anti-diet movement promotes body positivity, self-love, and challenges weight discrimination.
- Major food companies are co-opting the anti-diet movement by recruiting influencers to promote their unhealthy products.
- Some elements of the anti-diet movement have made claims that are not supported by nutrition science.
- The co-opting of the movement by food companies distorts the original message of self-acceptance.
- There are concerns that certain anti-diet messages may lead to unhealthy behavior and weight gain.
- The anti-diet movement raises valid concerns about weight stigma and lack of access to healthcare for heavier people.
- The investigation highlights the tension between the anti-diet movement's goals and the commercial interests of food companies.
- The episode questions the authenticity of food companies' messaging around self-love and acceptance when promoting unhealthy products.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “You and your body have had a long and challenging relationship, and we exist in a culture that encourages us to see our bodies as an enemy rather than a home.“ by Megan Jane Crabb
- “Most of the time, we're thinking in terms of subtraction, meaning what we can and can't eat. Try to think in terms of addition, meaning what you can add to your meals instead of what you have to subtract.“ by Shanna Spencer
- “I didn't become a fitness instructor to convince people that they were broken. And so much of the wellness industry is convincing people that they're broken, because if you're broken and there's something wrong with you, then I can sell you something to fix it.“ by Lauren Lavelle
- “There are elements of the anti-diet movement that have gone far beyond the original concerns to make claims that are not consistent with nutrition science.“ by Sasha Chavkin
Entities
Concept
Company
Product
Book
Person
Episode Information
Consider This from NPR
NPR
4/10/24
These influencers and others like them represent a pivot away from the diet and fitness culture embodied by companies like weight watchers, which focuses on losing weight as a path to healthier living.
Today there is a broad "anti-diet" movement that posits that bodies can be healthy at any size. But some are trying to co-opt this movement.
An investigation by The Washington Post and the Examination found that large food companies are recruiting these influencers to promote sugary cereals and processed snacks.
As people who are part of the anti-diet movement saw an opportunity to practice and spread a message of self-love and acceptance, big food companies saw an opportunity to make money.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy