The expert view

Although these fads are influencing young girls and women’s body goals, and shaping the ideals of the beauty world, is it healthy to follow such standards?

Saumya Mishra, a Dubai-based nutritionist said, “Anything that takes you to an extreme is unhealthy. And one can only achieve these goals when they go to an extreme.”

Mishra also highlighted that everyone’s body is different. “We are all unique and we have unique body types.”

She said having certain body goals such as those prevalent online isn’t impossible for all body types, however, some would have to work harder than others.

Physical features can be changed, but with a consistent diet and training under a professional, she said. And it can take a long time to see results, she added.

However, in the fast-paced world of social media, people want quick results. “In the past 10 years, there has been a boom in social media usage. Everyone is in constant need to lose weight. Social media has definitely changed the definition of beauty,” Mishra said.

Although prominent social media personalities are setting beauty standards, not everything seen on such platforms is real and there are numerous things done behind the scenes for models to look a certain way. “Everyone has a smartphone these days. Pictures can be morphed and edited so easily,” she said.

Crash diets and extreme eating habits are no strangers to some social media stars. “A day before a shoot, these models adopt liquid diets and juice cleanses.” Artificial cleansers that are used to cleanse the stomach and gut are used as well. “These can have long-term side effects and are very unhealthy,” Mishra warned.

“This can also lead people to get discouraged and doesn’t promote the concept of self-love,” she added. The pressure to look a certain way also takes a toll on one’s mental health. “Stress, anxiety and even eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are common among such individuals,” Mishra said.