Why It’s Harmful To Comment On People’s Bodies

Experts, including psychologists specializing in body image, agree – comments on the appearance of someone can be harmful, even if you think you have good intentions.

Since you may not know what someone is going through, commenting on a person’s body, whether size, shape or just something else, is not only inappropriate, but can also be triggered, Rachel Goldman, approved psychologist based in New York and Deputy Professor of Clinique at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, told Buzzfeed News.

“Unfortunately, we do not always see with what people have trouble. Like Ariana Grande, she did not share that she was on antidepressants and ate unhealthy, and she should not do it, but people just assumed that she was in a healthy place only on her appearance,” said Goldman. “Besides, Grande is a public figure, and although it may seem that all her life is exposed, it is not the case. She too has feelings, emotions, struggles, and it is important that people remember it.”

Other celebrities, including actor and singer Selena Gomez, also discussed the comments of shame that were made on their appearance. Gomez, who spoke of having a bipolar disorder and lupus of autoimmune condition and suffered a kidney transplant, discussed his experience in detail in A live tiktok.

“When I started from [medication(s)]I tend to lose weight, “said Gomez.” I just wanted to say and encourage anyone who feels a kind of shame for exactly what he goes through and no one knows the real story. “(Drugs by immune system are well known to cause weight gain as a side effect.)

People who have questions and concerns about Grande and Gomez can comment on their bodies, thinking that they have the best of intentions. However, it is best to keep any type of comment on people’s body, said experts at Buzzfeed News. In some cases, it may have a negative impact on mental health or even trigger food disorders.

We have asked experts who specialize in the body image on potential damage that can be caused by comments and what you could say instead.

Comments and body image problems

The body image refers to how you feel and think of your bodysaid Keri Gans, dietitian and recorded nutritionist based in New York.

Even positive comments could highlight the importance of someone’s appearance, which is called appearance orientation.

Research suggests that social comparisonEven with its own body, can be associated with body dissatisfaction.

“Negative comments can lead them to feel even more negative about it, which has pushed them to adopt unhealthy behavior,” said Gans. “Even positive comments can be harmful because they may think that they were not good enough before.”

People on social platforms quickly added that comments came from a place of concern. However, comments of concern have been made by comparisons of the large body over the years. The bodies change over time, Including the fluctuations in weight and body compositionEspecially as we age.

“Even if a comment comes from a good place, you have to stay silent. You never know what a person is going through,” said Gans. “More importantly, a person must listen to and offer only if asked.”

Weight -related comments can actually encourage food behavior of disorders and trigger, Goldman told Buzzfeed News.

“If someone has trouble and / or participates in unhealthy behavior to be at this weight, and he gets comments like” you look so well “, this can actually strengthen negative or unhealthy behavior,” said Goldman. “In addition, someone could internalize this and question” which did not go with me before “, which also has an impact on body image, self -esteem, self -esteem, which could also strengthen and lead to additional unhealthy thoughts and behaviors.”

Here is what you can comment instead

“There is a way to show support and worry without commenting on your body, weight or shape,” said Goldman. “I always encourage people to stop and think about the words they will use, before using them. Words are important and words can have an impact on someone’s mental health. ”

The model Bella Hadid, who has already spoken of comments on her appearance and Body image problems in a vogue interviewhas published an Instagram publication highlighting certain compliments which are not oriented towards appearance. In her legend, she wrote: “There is so much more for you that the eyes cannot see him …”