Many individuals resort to dieting to shed excess weight and maintain a slim physique, but some take it to the extreme, bordering on addiction, which has its consequences, according to experts. Among those who have struggled with diet obsession is the famous American singer Beyoncé, who stated that she suffers psychologically from old dieting methods, according to the British newspaper "The Sun." She mentioned that she spent a lot of time following diet plans along with exercising, which experts consider a misconception.
Experts at Delamere Health Clinic highlighted that what Beyoncé experienced is referred to as "diet culture," meaning the belief that a person's slenderness comes before their health and well-being. They stated, "We face diet culture every day, but most people do not realize it, as it is deeply rooted in our society, making it seem completely normal."
The experts listed several signs of diet addiction:
- Feeling guilty or ashamed about eating.
- Exercising just to burn a certain number of calories.
- Suppressing appetite with items like water or coffee.
- Avoiding social situations that involve food consumption.
- Jealousy towards others due to weight or body image.
- Harboring negative feelings towards body image.
According to the British clinic, "Diet culture glorifies weight loss and clouds our judgments and decisions about how we feel." They further noted that it can negatively impact mental health by fueling obsessive and negative thoughts toward eating and exercising. They added, "Diet culture can often evoke feelings of shame, guilt, embarrassment, and low self-worth."
