Murder of Crones

E9 Diet Culture Part 2: Thinness by Prescription

Murder of Crones

Show Notes

Today's conversation with hosts Kori, Zab, and Jen, delves into the complex relationship between body image, mental health, and societal pressures, particularly in the context of diet culture and the impact of the pandemic on eating disorders. The speakers discuss the evolution of diet culture, the rise of orthorexia, and the challenges faced by individuals, especially women, in navigating health choices amidst societal expectations. They also highlight the importance of self-acceptance and the need for a more inclusive understanding of beauty and health.

Show Notes: Takeaways

The pressure to conform to societal beauty standards can lead to mental health issues. Serena Williams' choice to use GLP-1 medication highlights the complexities of health decisions. Diets are often designed to fail, leading to feelings of shame and inadequacy. The pandemic has exacerbated eating disorders, particularly among young girls. Orthorexia is an unhealthy obsession with eating pure or healthy foods. Self-acceptance is crucial in combating the negative effects of diet culture. The wellness industry often promotes unrealistic standards of health and beauty. Access to healthy food options remains a classist issue. The moralization of food can lead to anxiety and guilt around eating.

Community and support are essential for fostering a healthy relationship with food.

Chapters 00:00 Audience Engagement and Future Plans 00:14 Health Challenges and Personal Stories 01:05 The Painful Journey: Kidney Stones and Resilience 05:25 Diet Culture: A Historical Perspective 07:56 The Impact of the Pandemic on Health and Diet 17:19 Emerging Trends in Clean Eating and Wellness 19:23 Exploring Biohacking and Wellness Tracking 23:12 The Impact of the Pandemic on Eating Disorders 30:34 Understanding Orthorexia and Its Implications 34:18 The Evolution of Body Positivity 37:44 The Pressure of Postpartum Body Image 41:05 Embracing Aging and Body Transformation 44:26 Intersectionality in Body Image and Health 48:06The Appeal and Risks of GLP-1 Medications 55:02 Understanding the Side Effects of Weight Loss Drugs 56:34The Ozempic Debate: Health Risks vs. Weight Loss 58:28 Long-Term Effects and Unknown Risks 01:00:31 Ethical Considerations in Weight Loss Medications 01:03:08 Access and Coverage: Who Gets Ozempic? 01:05:04 The Bigger Picture: Health Beyond Weight 01:09:33 Community, Connection, and Holistic Health 01:09:33 Body Neutrality and Health at Every Size 01:11:55 The Role of Food and Emotional Well-Being 01:13:46 Wrapping Up: A Call for Compassionate Care

References ABC News. (2025, August 31). As athletes like Serena Williams promote Ozempic, experts say our obsession with weight loss is worse than ever. ABC News. ABC Cantor, C. (2024, October 16). The rise of Ozempic for weight loss sparks ethical concerns. Columbia University Department of Psychiatry. columbiapsychiatry.org Coombs, D. S., & Cassilo, D. (2017). Athletes and/or activists: LeBron James and Serena Williams's framing in sports media. Howard Journal of Communications, 28(4), 367–384. https://doi.org/10.1080/10646175.2017.1315681 Critical discourse analysis of social media advertisements for GLP‑1 receptor agonist weight loss drugs: implications for public perceptions and health communication. (2025). BMC Public Health, 25, Article 24197. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889‑025‑24197‑8 BioMed Central Healthline. (2025). Why Serena Williams went public about losing weight with Zepbound. Healthline. Healthline Inequalities in the provision of GLP‑1 receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity. (2023). [Journal]. PubMed Central. PMC

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