The Revival of 2000s Skinny Culture By Kayla Doria Ward

By Kayla Doria Ward

Toxic dieting tips pushed by influencers, TikTok ads pushing supplements, and GLP-1 leading to eating disorders. This new trend cycle pushing “skinny” may feel oddly familiar. 

In the 2000s, you could find a gossip magazine with bright, bold letters in any checkout aisle. Many would shame celebrities and spread rumors. A massive craze with these gossip magazines was comparing celebrities' bodies. The Skinny Website was a popular forum for users to mock and critique candid paparazzi pictures of celebrities. 

Popular examples are Lindsay Lohan, Mary-Kate Olsen, Nicole Richie, and Ashlee Simpson. Commenters and magazines had no problem shaming these women for eating in public, showing curves, and the infamous shaming of a healthy body in a bikini. Too small and you’d be labeled with an eating disorder, but too large and you’d be labeled a whale. This vicious cycle pushed dangerous body trends like “heroin chic”. 

The fear of being heavier than a feather was plastered in mainstream media as well. In an episode of the sitcom How I Met Your Mother, a character goes as far as to reject a woman in fear she will gain back weight she had lost in the past. In the 2009 movie 500 Days of Summer, Summer is described as average height, 5’5”, and weight, 121lbs or 55 kgs. It is presumed she

is in her early to mid twenties in the film. The National Institutes of Health considers anything under 114 lbs or 52 kgs underweight and anything over 145 lbs or 67 kgs overweight. If anything, Summer is closer to being underweight than the true average weight. This comparison also leads viewers (especially young, impressionable ones) to believe weight is the leading factor in whether a body is healthy or average. 

While most are familiar with these new trends that are pushing for a revival of 2000s skinny culture, I’m here to break down what the social media ads won’t. From GLP-1, toxic dieting, and targeted supplement ads to the real statistics behind a healthy lifestyle, “normal” body, and how self-love plays a bigger role than most assume. 

The Ozempic Era 

Since 2019, prescribed anti-obesity medications have risen to an estimated 11% of Americans. These medications are praised for going beyond weight loss, aiding users with heart disease, Alzheimer's, sleep apnea, and even alcoholism. In 2021, the FDA approved semaglutide, the active ingredient in weight loss medications, under Ozempic for people with Type 2 diabetes. The drug mimics the hormone GLP-1 to help lower blood sugar. But it quickly became recognized for the notable side effect of weight loss. 

This sparked a surge in off-label use as a weight loss aid. This presented its own dangers, given the harmful side effects most users don’t care to glamourize, including muscle loss, severe complications such as pancreatitis, and kidney and gallbladder issues. Some users even experienced it triggering eating disorders. 

Many claim money makes the world go round, and that is the unfortunate case for many with type 2 diabetes or life-threatening conditions. Since the spike in users, especially wealthier ones, prices have jumped. They range from $900 to $1,400 per month, with variable insurance coverage. With this spike, many are left without access to manage their condition.

So with all the health risks and jumps in pricing, why are people still foaming at the mouth to try these medications? Anthropologist and professor Alexandra Brewis claims it's the relief of “normality”. She found those who lose a lot of weight often describe an intense sense of relief and happiness at finally “feeling normal” in their bodies. They also report being treated better at work and in social settings. But this can also reap physiologically harmful and painful realizations of how devalued they were before significant weight loss. Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, and headaches also disrupt daily life. While the physical benefits may attract positive attention and dopamine, the not-so-glamorous truths are often not seen or talked about in media. 

Ads on social media also push the idea of being valued or idolized if skinnier. A popular example is the “bikini-ready” urgency. To “shed” your winter body to appear fit for summer. These sorts of urgency ads create a long-term mindset that contributes to the long-term use for many users “trying out” medication for certain seasons and, in the end, worsening the already fragile psychological state of weight-related anxieties. 

Toxic Dieting Culture 

Dieting plans are a useful tool for nutritionists and doctors that can pair well with medications that cause side effects such as weight gain or compulsive eating. But the tool can be quickly poisoned when not discussed with the proper professionals. 

Social media has opened a gateway for some researchers and professionals to share tips about eating habits and portions online. But in an overstautred market, it's getting harder to tell who is truthful about their background in the matter. A descriptive content analysis on TikTok's diet

culture showed that more than half of the videos portrayed “body checking”, the compulsive and repetitive monitoring of one's body shape, weight, and size. In severe cases, it can be linked to anorexia, bulimia, and body dysmorphic disorder. 

While only 6.4% of healthy eating videos displayed disordered eating behaviors, over half (64%) of the videos provided dietary advice; most of the creators of these videos also claimed to be experts. 

Since eating behaviors are established in childhood (through a variety of factors), social media creators claiming to be experts can have a strong influence on young people's habits. 40% of children aged 8 to 12 use social media daily, making this influence even stronger with a new generation. Companies promote their products through these trusted influencers, who reinforce the idea that buying certain products will enable you to change your body, making children more likely to consume heavily advertised food. 

Colleen McAteer shared her own personal battle with the National Eating Disorder Association. “I told myself I would return to counting calories and working out at the gym consistently until I reached a certain size. Unfortunately, this seemingly innocent “wellness plan” manifested into a full-blown eating disorder. When I reached that initial size, I told myself I would lose only “a little

more weight” because I was going on vacation and would gain it back. When I lost that, it still wasn’t good enough…it was never good enough.” 

The Rise of Targeted Supplement Ads 

You may have seen a boom in supplements such as ashwagandha or fat-burning drink powders/gummies on social media. Some claim to help improve focus or gut health. The reality behind most popular advertised supplements is that they are shams. Dietary supplements do not require FDA approval before hitting the market. 

Most people consider themselves internet savvy enough to know whether an influencer is giving a paid perspective or a personal one. Recently, more and more sales have been attributed to AI-generated doctors, healers, and wellness influencers posing on social media. Even if the influencer is a legitimate account, many before-and-after photos are heavily modified and disclosed where no one thinks to look… the caption! While AI-generated ads may not be fooling younger generations, most are targeting older women. 

Rebuilding Trust in Your Body

Emily Hemendinger, Director of the OCD and Anxiety Program and Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, broke down how the body and mind are connected when it comes to how we view food. 

“What’s hard from an eating disorder perspective is that much of what we do is teach people how to trust their bodies. This means building self-trust and learning how to listen to the body for hunger and satiety cues. Because of the way these drugs work, it’s hard to work with patients on building trust in the body’s natural cues. Typically, if your world revolves entirely around diet, weight, and appearance, it’s time to seek help.” 

“I wish women and men could consider worth beyond appearance and bodies. As much as I wish women would take hormones and body functioning into consideration regarding body size changes across the life span, ultimately allowing for a more compassionate stance toward their bodies, what I wish for more is a societal shift. Society’s view on women’s bodies and aging women is negative, objectifying, and youth-obsessed. Until there is a societal change, there’s only so much an individual can do.” 

She also offers some advice for anyone recovering or feeling insecure with how they address food in their daily life. Most importantly, food isn’t something you earn. What you decide to consume in a day shouldn’t and isn’t what makes your body “good or bad”. 

She also encourages people to be aware of their algorithms. Find creators or articles that give perspectives on body diversity and inclusivity. If you happen to hear someone make an insensitive comment on a person's body, call them out. 

“Sometimes I’ll ask, “Why did you say that?” or I’ll say, “That’s an interesting thing to say.” Call people into conversations to bring awareness.” 

You can also be proactive and start building healthy habits with your body. As mentioned earlier, eating habits stem from childhood. If you aren’t taught the proper way to care for your body, you can reach early, or even late, stages of adulthood with dangerous habits. 

American Heart Association's “Life’s Essential 8” is a good rule of thumb to start out with. While you should always contact a health care professional and have routine appointments, this is a good starting point for anyone building and learning healthy habits. Some simple tips include getting seven to nine hours of sleep and 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week. Depression and anxiety, memory loss and dementia, high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, obesity, and heart disease are all linked to unhealthy sleep patterns/routines. While eating and moving should be obvious staples, many overlook the benefits of a good night's rest.

The full article and women's health-focused article are linked in the sources. 

Self-love and Challenging Your Mindset 

Kristen Hopper, director of Social Services-Chapters Health Systems, compiled a list of the top 10 ways to start challenging your mind into a healthier space for thoughts.

Practicing self-compassion. Nobody is perfect; why should you expect yourself to be? Imperfections should not be defined by appearance. You would never assume somebody is undeserving of things such as love or happiness based solely on how they look, so start challenging thoughts of “imperfection”. As if your thoughts were coming from a friend or family member. Console them accordingly and with grace. 

Challenging negative thoughts. When you catch yourself thinking negatively about your body, replace them with positive affirmations. Over time, these will become the thoughts that pop up when you look in a mirror. 

Focus on functionality. Your body is a powerhouse! It does so much for you every day, some things you may even look past. Celebrate your body's abilities. Whether that looks like going to the gym, swimming, dancing, or running. Use what you have so you don’t lose what you have. 

Surround yourself with positivity. Engage with positive media and people who build you up. Read and watch media or physical media that aid you instead of harm you. 

Set realistic goals. Comparison is the thief of joy. Don’t build your routine based on an influencer or celebrity's routine. Build it around your body and habits. Doing the opposite sets you up for failure. Focus on setting realistic and achievable goals. 

Practice mindfulness and self-care. Engage in activities that help you feel connected to your body. Yoga and meditation are a great way to learn and listen to your body and mind. 

Wear what makes you feel good. Just because crop tops or tight pants are trending doesn’t mean it is what makes you feel the best. Choose clothing that makes you feel comfortable and confident. This can be a huge starting factor on a self-love journey! 

Celebrate small wins. Recognize your progress, no matter how small. You sat with your thoughts for even a few minutes today instead of getting that dopamine boost from scrolling? Congratulate yourself! Each win is a step to a larger victory. 

Connect with others. Supportive friends and communities can be powerful in changing your mindset. Having others to remind you of your worth and love is a great first step for anyone finding it challenging to do the steps listed above. 

If it all feels too heavy, seek professional help. Talking to a therapist or counselor who specializes in body image and self-acceptance is a great tool to start your toolkit. This shouldn’t be a shameful step. In fact, it's a great resource to utilize even if you are confident in your mindset. Getting a professional point of view, tailored to you, can solve even the most minuscule of issues. 

Closing Thoughts

Social media is harmful in mass “doses”; sunlight and fresh air can do more for you than blue light; moving your body usually solves half your internal battles, and your body/mind does more for you than you know, so take care of it. 

Sources: 

"The Rise of Ozempic Sparks Ethical Concerns." Columbia Psychiatry, 

https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/news/rise-ozempic-sparks-ethical-concerns. 

"Ozempic Is Changing More Than Bodies." Psychology Today (Diagnosis: Human blog), Dec. 2025, 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/diagnosis-human/202512/ozempic-is-changing-more than-bodies. 

"The Dangers of Diet Culture." National Eating Disorders Association, 

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/dangers-diet-culture/. 

Munro, Emily, Gabriella Wells, Rigel Paciente, Nicole Wickens, Daniel Ta, Joelie Mandzufas, Karen Lombardi, and Alix Woolard. "Diet Culture on TikTok: A Descriptive Content Analysis." Public Health Nutrition / PubMed Central, 2024, 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11504184/. 

"Why 'Skinny Culture' Is Back and What It Means for Body Image and Mental Health." CU Anschutz News, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 

https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/why-skinny-culture-is-back-and-what-it-means-for-bo dy-image-and-mental-health. 

Tolhurst, Alex. "The Toxic Body Image of the 2000s." Medium, April 19, 2021, https://alextolhurst.medium.com/the-toxic-body-image-of-the-2000s-165c928b50c3. 

"Life's Essential 8." American Heart Association, 

https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/lifes-essential-8. 

"Life's Essential 8 for Women." Go Red for Women, American Heart Association, https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/lifes-essential-8-for-women. 

"Body Positive: Connecting Self-Love and Mental Health." Chapters Health System, https://www.chaptershealth.org/chapters-of-life-blog/news/body-positive-connecting-self-love-an d-mental-health/.

"Healthy Weight." National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-healthy-living/healthy-weight.