Diet culture, with its relentless focus on thinness as a marker of success and health, profoundly impacts mental health. Constant exposure to these messages can lead individuals to internalize harmful beliefs about their bodies, resulting in shame, self-hatred, and feelings of inadequacy. Weight stigma—the societal bias against "larger bodies" (bodies outside of an unrealistic socially constructed "thin ideal")—exacerbates these issues, manifesting as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and eating disorders.

The impact of weight stigma extends beyond body dissatisfaction. It is strongly linked to an increased risk of........

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