As we usher in a new year, the team at Women’s Health magazine has taken a bold step toward redefining the conversation around women’s bodies. This week, they announced a ban on the term “bikini body” after a clear consensus from readers who expressed their fatigue with this phrase.
In a recent post, Editor-in-Chief Laura Jennings shared insights from a survey revealing that many readers are tired of seeing terms like “shrink,” “diet,” and “bikini body” alongside articles that make unrealistic promises about weight loss. Jennings noted that last year, the editorial team began eliminating “shrink” and “diet” from their publications, and now they’re focusing on other phrases that perpetuate negative body image.
A Heartfelt Letter to “Bikini Body”
In a heartfelt letter to the term “bikini body,” Jennings wrote: “This phrase is misleading and inadvertently conveys that only certain body types are acceptable for wearing swimwear. Every body is a bikini body, and it’s time to move past the shame associated with it.” She also addressed the phrase “drop two sizes,” stating, “While many of us may want to shed a few pounds, expecting to drop two sizes in a month is neither realistic nor healthy.” She concluded that this term no longer aligns with the magazine’s values.
While some may see this initiative as merely symbolic, I believe it could signify a meaningful change in how we discuss women’s health and body image. It is exhausting to flip through magazine after magazine promoting crash diets and unattainable standards of beauty. It’s essential to shift the narrative from equating health and fitness solely with being thin or fitting into the smallest size.
Although eliminating these phrases won’t completely transform our relationship with body image, it is certainly a step in the right direction. I would much prefer to read publications that focus on holistic health rather than fallacies about achieving a “bikini body.”
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In summary, Women’s Health magazine’s decision to ban phrases like “bikini body” reflects a growing demand for a more inclusive and empowering dialogue about women’s health and body image. This change, although small, is a critical step toward promoting healthier perceptions of our bodies.