Understanding Body Shaming and Real Health

March 5, 2021

Imagine wearing your best dress with your best smile and dying to meet your friends you haven’t seen in a while. As you approach your barkada, instead of being greeted with “Kumusta ka?”, you hear either:

“Uy, tumaba ka!”

“Akala ko ba nagda-diet ka?”

OR

“Kumakain ka pa ba?”
“Para kang ting-ting!”

Perhaps you have also said these lines to yourself or to another person, whether in good faith or not. Body shaming or the practice of embarrassing someone by mocking his/her shape, color or size has become so rampant that it has almost reached a level of bullying.  It’s humiliating, painful and may pose serious long-term effects on the victim’s emotional and mental well-being. Admit it, minsan nga sa sobrang galit at inis mo, you default to throwing a shade at someone’s physical appearance or weight as a form of defense. Alam mo kasing mas madali kang makakaganti pag pisikal na ang labanan.

Body shaming is not entirely new but social media has taken it to a different level. Instead of being a source of enjoyment or outlet for creativity, some apps and sites that are mostly visited by young adults, teenagers or even children, have become a breeding ground for shame and unwanted criticism. Sadly, body shaming has also promoted a wrong perception of ideal health.

Social media posts from Filipino celebrities and influencers almost dictating how one’s body should look has become an acceptable measure of beauty. What their followers fail to understand is that body forms vary and that a 24-inch waistline doesn’t always equate to a healthy body.

Marjorie, 20, who suffers from an eating disorder shares, “Ayokong magpost ng photo sa social media kasi pagtatawanan lang nila ako. Ang payat ko kasi. Kung anu-ano lang iku-comment nila dun kaya ‘wag na lang.”

Caroline, 24, a class 2 obese narrates, “Di ko nalang pinapansin yung nagsasabing ang taba ko. Masarap kumain e, bakit ba! Mas lalo pa nga akong napapakain ng marami pag sinasabihan akong lumba-lumba.

According to the US National Library of Medicine, weight stigma may result in more weight gain or obesity. It can also reduce self-esteem or cause stress, mental health problems, and chronic diseases. 

If you’ve been a victim of body-shaming, one way or another, here are some ways to stop it in its tracks and redeem your confidence:

1. Be honest. Tell that person or people that their words are hurtful and explain to them why it bothers you, so that next time they won’t do it again. IT JUST NEEDS TO STOP.

2. Avoid the bullies. Disengage yourself from people who look down on you and make you feel sad. Ignore their statements and just stick with your real friends.

3. Love yourself. Find the things that you like about your body. Instead of focusing on your body shape, why not try a new hairstyle or a beauty regimen? 

4. Take it as a challenge. Know that it’s okay to feel hurt but don’t dwell on it too much. Think, analyze and do something positive like maintaining healthy self-care routines.

Accepting your body is the highest form of self-care. Once you understand and embrace all your imperfections, you will realize what needs to be done to obtain well-being. Aalamin mo kung ano ang tamang exercise o diet para makapagbawas ka ng timbang. Check if there’s an underlying condition that causes your weight gain or weight loss. Masyadong ka bang stressed kaya ka napapakain ng marami? Kulang ka ba sa tulog kaya ka nangangayayat? O baka naman may hormonal imbalance ka sa katawan. Gumawa ka ng paraan para mapangalagaan ang katawan at sarili mo. In order to properly take care of you and fight the stigma of weight shaming, know which health strategy works best for you. #Redirect your energy into becoming the best version of yourself.

As we always say at Paramount Direct, self-love isn’t selfish, because only by genuinely loving yourself can you give real love to others. And when you have so much to be happy about, you care less about the ‘balyena’ insults or “Ang itim mo naman!” remarks. You’ll redirect your emotions into more productive stuff and focus more on your real priorities. Mas pipiliin mo na lang mag-ipon o mag-invest sa makabuluhang bagay kaysa bumili ng pampaputi, diba?

Why not get a good health plan as you redirect your life choices? Head on over to www.paramountdirect.com to learn which product best suits your plans, budget and life goals. Start now even when you think it’s hard. 

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