Celebrity culture and social media see resurgence of extreme thinness trends

A resurgence of extreme thinness, often referred to as the ‘skinny epidemic,’ is emerging across Hollywood and social media platforms. This trend, reminiscent of the ‘heroin chic’ era of the late 1990s, appears to be occurring alongside the rise of Y2K fashion and the widespread influence of social media algorithms.

Experts note that the normalization of low Body Mass Index (BMI) is being fueled by celebrity transformations and the increased availability of weight-loss medications such as Ozempic and GLP-1s. While the body positivity movement of the 2010s prioritized diversity, current digital trends are shifting back toward a preference for highly stylized, thin silhouettes.

Psychologists warn that social media algorithms exacerbate this issue by repeatedly showing specific body types to users, creating a false sense of normalcy and driving constant comparison. This cycle can lead to body dissatisfaction as users compare their natural physical traits to curated digital images.