‘Skinny Tok’: Viral TikTok Trend Under Fire For Promoting Dangerous Dieting

A Controversial Trend Dubbed “Skinny Tok” Is Gaining Traction On TikTok, Prompting Health Experts to Issue Stark Warnings About Its Possibly Harmful Effects.

The Trend, Characterized By The Promotion Of Extreme Thinness As A Key Indicator Of Health And wellness, Is Raising Concerns About Negative Body image And disordered Eating, Especially Among Young Users.

The Rise Of ‘Skinny Tok’ And Its Influencers

“Skinny Tok” Has Gained Momentum with Influencers Sharing Content Focused On Achieving Extreme Thinness. Videos Often Showcase very Low Calorie Diets And Frequent Body Checks, Normalizing Potentially Unhealthy Behaviors.

One Prominent Figure In This Movement is Gen Z Influencer Liv Schmidt, Who Became Well-Known For Her “Skinny girl Hacks.” Although Previously Banned From TikTok For violating Community Guidelines, Schmidt Has Resurfaced, continuing To Share Content That Alarms Health Professionals.

Experts Weigh In On The Dangers

Registered Dietitian Emily Van Eck Describes The “Skinny Tok” Trend As “Dangerous” And “Extreme”, Emphasizing That Glorifying Thinness Is Detrimental To Physical, Emotional, And Mental Health.

“Dieting Is A Major Risk Factor For Eating Disorders, And The Younger Someone Starts, The Higher Their Risk,” Van Eck Saeid. “Because These Videos Often Feature Teenagers and Young adults, They’re Especially Concerning.”

Lindsie Meek, Founder Of Humanmend, An Eating Disorder And Anxiety Psychotherapy Practice, Adds That This Trend Perpetuates Harmful Diet Culture And Unrealistic Body Standards.

“The ‘What I Eat In A Day’ Content Is Especially Harmful Because It Suggests All Bodies Have The Same Nutritional Needs,” Meek Explained, Noting That It Ignores Individual Genetic And Health Factors.

the Physical And Mental Toll Of Extreme Calorie Restriction

Many “Skinny Tok” Videos Advocate For Drastically Low Calorie Diets, Which Experts Warn Can Have Severe Consequences.

According To Van Eck, Consuming Only 800 Calories Per day Makes it Nearly impractical To Meet The Body’s Nutrient Requirements, Leading To Deficiencies In Essential Vitamins And minerals.

These Deficiencies Can Result In Fatigue, Low mood, muscle Loss, And Over Time, Immune Dysfunction, Infertility, And Bone Loss.

From A Mental Health Standpoint, meek Notes That Extreme Dieting Can Trigger Exaggerated Mood Swings And Obsessive Thoughts About Food And Body Image.

Weight Is Not A Reliable Indicator Of Health

Both Experts Stress That Weight Should Not Be Considered The Sole Indicator Of Health. True Health Encompasses Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social, And Spiritual Well-Being.

“People In Thin Bodies May Or May Not Be Healthy,Just As People In Larger Bodies May Or May Not Be Healthy,” Meek Said.

Navigating Healthy Weight loss

While Not All Weight Loss Is Harmful, Distinguishing Between Healthy And Disordered Approaches Is Crucial. The Key Lies In Ensuring That Weight Loss Efforts Are Rooted In Nourishment And Self-Care, Not Fear Or Punishment.

Van Eck Advises That Health-Supportive Behavior Change Should Feel Like Part Of A Broader Self-care Routine. Disordered Eating, On The Othre Hand, Often Manifests As Rigid Food Rules, Guilt, And Obsessive Control.

If you Are Unsure, Consider How These Behaviors Impact your Daily life.Disordered Eating Typically Disrupts Relationships, Work, And Overall Life Enjoyment, While Balanced Approaches Enhance Well-Being.

Redefining Healthy Body Weight

The Body Positivity Movement Has Made Strides, But Society Still Tends To Equate Thinness With health-A Misconception That Needs To Be Addressed. The Term “Healthy Weight” Itself Can Be Problematic Due To Flawed Metrics Like Body Mass Index (Bmi), Which Don’t Account For Individual Variation.

A More Functional Definition Of healthy Weight Is The Range Your Body Naturally Maintains When You’re eating Adequately, Engaging In Enjoyable Physical Activity, And Not Trapped In A Cycle Of Restriction And Obsession.

Pro Tip: Prioritize Behavior Changes Over Weight Loss. Focus On Eating Balanced Meals, honoring Hunger cues, And Managing Stress for Long-Term Well-Being.

Sustainable Strategies For Long-Term Health

focusing On Behavior Rather Than Weight Is The Most Sustainable Path To Long-Term Health. This Includes Eating Regular, Balanced Meals With Sufficient Energy, Fiber, Protein, And Fat To Promote fullness And Satisfaction.

It Also Means Honoring Hunger Cues, Engaging in Enjoyable Physical Activity, And Addressing Sleep, Stress, And Emotional Health. Another Crucial Step Is To Abandon The Idea That Foods Are inherently Good Or Bad.

“Healing Involves Rejecting Food Morality By Challenging The Idea That Certain Foods Are Good Or bad,” Meek Said.

Diet Trends Like “Skinny Tok” Can Fuel Dangerous Misconceptions About Weight Loss And Health. True Wellness, however, Is Multi-Dimensional And Encompasses Various Aspects Of Life.

“Equating Thinness With Health Ignores Human Complexity And reinforces Weight Stigma,” Van Eck Said. “It’s Normal To Care About How You Look, But Health Is Better Reflected In behaviors Than In Size.”

It’s More About How You Nourish Yourself,Manage Stress,Prioritize Sleep,And Connect With Others.

Comparing Diet approaches