In a world where the “perfect body” is plastered across magazine covers, TikTok feeds, and red carpets, women are left wrestling with an impossible standard. Thin, toned, yet curvaceous in all the “right” places, this ideal body type has long dominated beauty culture, fostering fat shaming and a harmful obsession with weight control. Now, the rise of weight-loss medications like Ozempic is intensifying the pressure, sending a dangerous message: your body, as it is, will never be enough.
The Myth of the “Perfect Body”
For decades, women have been bombarded with shifting ideals of beauty. In the 90s, it was heroin chic—think waifish models with hollowed cheeks and low-rise jeans revealing protruding hip bones. The early 2000s brought the “toned but not too muscular” gym bunny aesthetic. Today, the pendulum has swung again, with social media amplifying extreme body trends, from impossibly tiny waists to Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs) that reshape women’s natural proportions into cartoonish versions of femininity.
“In the ‘90s, thin wasn’t just a look—it was the standard. Diet culture was everywhere, heroin chic was glamorized, and disordered eating was brushed off as discipline. It wasn’t just unhealthy; it was dangerous,” says Linsey Lunny, CEO of Hidden Strength.
What all these trends have in common is the underlying belief that a woman’s worth is tied to her size, her shape, and how closely she can resemble the unattainable.
This pursuit of physical “perfection” has devastating consequences. Studies show that women and girls who internalize unrealistic body standards are more likely to develop disordered eating, body dysmorphia, and low self-esteem. Fat shaming—whether explicit or subtle—becomes a societal reflex, punishing anyone who doesn’t conform to the ideal.
The Ozempic Effect
Enter weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes but increasingly used off-label as quick fixes for weight loss. On social media, influencers tout these medications as miracle solutions, sharing dramatic “before and after” photos that perpetuate the toxic narrative that thinner is always better.
At first glance, it may seem like a harmless way to shed a few pounds. But the reality is far more alarming. Ozempic works by suppressing appetite, often to extreme levels, which can lead to rapid and unsustainable weight loss. Many users report severe side effects, including nausea, fatigue, and muscle loss. Even more concerning is what happens when people stop taking the drug—most regain the weight, setting the stage for a vicious cycle of shame, dieting, and disillusionment.
“Ozempic is looking to bring that toxic ‘90s thinness back into the world. This medication is being popularized as a weight-loss trend when in reality, it is a resurgence of body dysmorphia and disordered eating. When a medication meant for diabetes management is glorified as a quick fix for thinness, it sends a dangerous message: that smaller is always better, no matter the cost,” asserts Lunny.
The underlying message is clear: it doesn’t matter how you feel, as long as you look smaller. This mindset fuels fat phobia and reinforces the harmful idea that health and beauty are defined solely by weight.
The Impact on Women’s Health
The obsession with weight loss at any cost isn’t just psychologically damaging—it’s physically hazardous too. Yo-yo dieting, which many Ozempic users experience when they stop the medication, has been linked to a host of health problems, including heart disease, weakened immune function, and metabolic issues.
And let’s not forget the toll on mental health. Women who constantly strive for a thinner body often live in a state of chronic stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. It’s exhausting, demoralizing, and ultimately, a distraction from the things that truly matter—like building fulfilling relationships, pursuing passions, and living fully in the bodies we have right now.
Embracing Body Neutrality
At its core, the push for the “perfect body” isn’t about health. It’s about control. Women are taught from a young age that their bodies are projects to be perfected, rather than vessels that carry them through life.
“The idea that ‘thin is back’ isn’t just outdated—it’s harmful. It shames people for their natural bodies, fuels insecurity, and turns health into a race to be as small as possible. We’ve seen this cycle before, and we know where it leads. The real goal should be body autonomy, not body conformity,” concludes Lunny.
This is where the body neutrality movement comes in. Unlike body positivity, which focuses on loving your body, body neutrality encourages women to respect their bodies, regardless of how they look on any given day. It’s about shifting the focus away from appearance altogether and toward what your body can do—whether that’s carrying you through a tough workout, hugging your loved ones, or simply allowing you to exist in the world.
The truth is, no drug, diet, or exercise plan will ever make you “perfect,” because perfection doesn’t exist. What does exist is the opportunity to free yourself from the cycle of shame and self-criticism. To recognize that your worth isn’t tied to your waistline. To push back against a culture that profits from your insecurities.
As the conversation around weight-loss drugs like Ozempic continues to evolve, let’s remember that the most radical thing you can do is opt out of the race entirely. Choose health over aesthetics. Choose joy over judgment. And most importantly, choose to exist in your body without apology.
Because the most powerful thing a woman can be is at peace with herself—no matter what size she wears.
