Naturally skinny people share 17 things they wish other people understood
Here’s a summary of this article I contributed to. Read the full article on Upworthy.
Thin Privilege Defined: Thin privilege refers to societal advantages for those whose bodies align with societal norms of beauty, including fewer obstacles in areas like healthcare, employment, and relationships.
Struggles with Body Image:
Thin people are not immune to body image struggles despite societal ideals.
They often face contradictory messages: being “lucky” for their size while enduring negative remarks like “eat a cheeseburger.”
Men face pressure to appear muscular, with thinness linked to weakness.
Common Challenges for Naturally Thin People:
Body Comments: Friends, family, and strangers feel entitled to comment on their weight or eating habits.
Stereotypes: Women are often accused of having eating disorders; men are perceived as weak or “wimpy.”
Health Issues: Being cold constantly, difficulty recovering from illness, and discomfort on hard surfaces due to boniness.
Clothing Struggles: Finding clothes that fit properly can be challenging, especially for very slim or tall individuals.
Redditor Insights:
Frequent comments like “You’re so lucky” or “You must not eat much” are frustrating and invasive.
Physical discomforts include constantly feeling cold, trouble finding fitted clothing, and discomfort from bonier body parts.
Social challenges include being dismissed for body image complaints and accusations of eating disorders.
Impact of the Body Positivity Movement:
Naturally thin individuals often feel excluded from the body positivity movement, facing labels like “unhealthy” or “fragile.”
Experts argue for inclusivity, advocating for respect for all body types without judgment or unwanted commentary.
Expert Takeaways:
Body image struggles exist across all sizes, with thin people navigating their unique challenges.
True body positivity should celebrate and respect every body size and shape without replacing one standard with another.
Thinness may come with privileges, but it also brings unique difficulties, from societal misconceptions to physical discomforts and unwanted scrutiny.
