Azhar Al-Rubaie has worked as a journalist in Iraq since 2014. In 2018 he did a series of articles in many topics, including  Politics, health, society, wars, militias ,human rights and LGBTQ rights. His is featured in the Arab Weekly, VICE news, Al-Jazeera, DW, Raseef 22, Washington Institute for ...

Iraqi women rally behind Enas Taleb over Economist 'fat' article scandal

16 Aug 2022  |  Middle East Eye  |  English  |  Body Image

Enas Taleb, an Iraqi actor, plans to sue The Economist for using her image in an article discussing obesity in the Arab world, which she and other prominent Iraqi women found insulting and reductionist. The article, criticized for its portrayal of Arab women and perceived cultural insensitivity, led to widespread support for Taleb. Taleb, who has a significant following on Instagram, emphasizes her contentment with her body and her role as a strong figure and mother. The Economist has not responded to requests for comment on the issue.

Tags:

Body Image Media Scandal Cultural Representation

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Jonathan is a print, radio, and video journalist. He was based in the Middle East for two years and is now reporting throughout the former Soviet Union.
 
His work has been published by BuzzFeed World, Politico, MSNBC, the International Business Times, the Independent, Vice News, Radio France ...

Raven-Symoné Shares Shocking Reason Why She Wore Heels On 'That's So Raven'

09 Dec 2024  |  Yahoo Entertainment  |  English  |  Body Image

Raven-Symoné revealed that Disney Channel pressured her to wear high heels to appear thinner on-screen, a practice that extended to her roles in 'That's So Raven' and 'The Cheetah Girls.' She expressed regret over the strict body image standards imposed on her during her time with the network. Additionally, she disclosed undergoing multiple surgeries as a teenager to fit a certain mold for television, including breast reduction and liposuction. Fans expressed disappointment over these revelations, highlighting the network's failure to support one of its brightest stars. Despite being signed to Hollywood Records, her music career did not achieve the same success as her peers.

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Body Image Entertainment Disney Channel

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Osniel Carmona Breijo is a journalist based in Havana, Cuba.

Fitness Girls in Cuba, Unveiling Taboos

01 Oct 2023  |  Cubanet  |  Spanish  |  Body Image

The fitness world is gradually gaining traction in Cuba, challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Women are increasingly participating in fitness activities, despite societal stigmas and personal struggles with body image. The article features personal stories of several women from Havana who have embraced fitness to improve their self-esteem and health. They discuss the challenges they face, including societal criticism and personal insecurities, but also highlight the support from family and fitness communities. The narrative underscores a slow but positive shift in societal attitudes towards women in fitness.

Tags:

Body Image Fitness Gender Stereotypes

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Rob Hyde is a freelance journalist based in Bremen, Germany.

His work has been published in The Times, The Daily Mail, The Mirror, The Express, The Daily Record, The Star, The Liverpool Echo & others. He has writes for specialist publications such as The Lancet, and trade periodicals including ...

German body image expert declares war on PEPPA PIG

15 Oct 2023  |  Mail Online  |  English  |  Body Image

A German body image expert, Dr. Franziska Hunkemöller, criticizes the children's TV show Peppa Pig for fat-shaming Daddy Pig, claiming it normalizes bullying. The show has faced previous criticism for reinforcing gender stereotypes and promoting unkind behavior. Sophie Boucher-Giles, a UK child behaviorist, also voices concerns about the show's impact on young children, highlighting its addictive nature and questionable messages. Hasbro, the owner of the Peppa Pig franchise, declined to comment on the accusations.

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Body Image Children's Television Cultural Criticism

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Lara Johnson-Wheeler is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

Lara Johnson-Wheeler slips into the new gen of shapewear for the September issue

29 Jul 2021  |  Tatler  |  English  |  Body Image

The article explores the resurgence of the hourglass figure trend, popularized by celebrities like Kim Kardashian, and the role of luxury shapewear in achieving this look. Lara Johnson-Wheeler visits Rigby & Peller for a fitting and consultation, and also reviews other brands like Simone Perele, Heist, Skims, La Perla, and Wolford. She emphasizes the importance of knowing one's size, understanding the desired effect from the garments, and setting realistic expectations. The article underscores that well-designed shapewear enhances one's natural body shape and boosts confidence.

Tags:

Body Image Fashion Shapewear

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Daisy Jordan is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom. 

She has written for many titles including Metro, Grazia, Fabulous, The Sun, heat and Closer.

Embracing Body Hair: A Personal Journey

31 Jan 2023  |  Metro  |  English  |  Body Image

The article is a personal account of the author's journey from feeling ashamed of her body hair to embracing it. She recounts her early insecurities and the societal pressures that led her to remove her body hair. The turning point came when she moved to London and met a friend who was comfortable with her natural body hair. Inspired by the Instagram account @Januhairy and the historical context of female hair removal, the author decided to stop shaving and found it liberating. She discusses the financial and time savings, as well as the support from her boyfriend and family. The article also references celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and Kim Kardashian, who have spoken about their hair removal practices. The author encourages women to embrace their body hair and challenges societal norms.

Tags:

Body Image Social Norms Personal Experience

Fiona Keating is a journalist and editor based in London, United Kingdom. She has worked for the Guardian, Euronews, the Independent, Yahoo! News and the Financial Times. She was the weekend news editor for International Business Times for over five years.

Subjects covered include sustainability,...

The Alternative Limb Project by Sophie de Oliveira Barata is where art meets science

30 Jan 2023  |  www.creativeboom.com  |  English  |  Body Image

Sophie de Oliveira Barata, based in Lewes, founded The Alternative Limb Project in 2011 to merge art and science through bespoke prosthetics. Her work promotes positive conversations around disability and body diversity, offering amputees the choice between realistic limbs and artistic, standout pieces. Barata collaborates with experts in technology and traditional crafts, emphasizing the human aspect and personal involvement in the creation process. Her innovative approach has shifted perceptions of amputees, especially following the visibility boost from the 2012 London Paralympic Games and advancements driven by military funding.

Tags:

Body Image Art Science Disability

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Julia Kim is a journalist based in Chuo City, Japan.

Concerns Mount Over IVE Jang Wonyoung's Health Amid Alleged Weight Loss

06 Jan 2024  |  www.btimesonline.com  |  English  |  Body Image

Social media buzz has raised concerns over IVE member Jang Wonyoung's health following a viral TikTok video suggesting significant weight loss. Fans fear the pressure of maintaining an ideal body image is affecting her well-being, while some criticize the video for body-shaming and invading privacy. The incident highlights the intense scrutiny and unrealistic beauty standards in the K-pop industry. Despite the controversy, IVE continues to succeed with their EP 'I'VE MINE' and an upcoming international tour. The situation underscores the pressures of celebrity life and calls for a more supportive environment.

Tags:

Body Image Health Entertainment Industry

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Factuality Scale

Sarah Manavis is a journalist at the New Statesman based in London, United Kingdom.

Don’t let TikTok tell you how to dress

01 Sept 2023  |  www.newstatesman.com  |  English  |  Body Image

The article critiques the resurgence of fashion systems like the Kibbe system and color analysis, which classify women's bodies into types and seasons, arguing they impose conservative ideas of femininity and restrict personal expression. Despite their popularity on platforms like TikTok, these systems are seen as promoting narrow beauty standards and ignoring diversity. The piece advocates for fashion as a form of personal freedom and creativity, rather than conforming to predetermined categories.

Tags:

Body Image Fashion Trends Social Media Influence

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

I’m a freelance journalist, based in Hong Kong, and have covered a range of topics, from political unrest to public health. My work has appeared in several publications, including South China Morning Post,
Forbes.com, Hong Kong Free Press, France 24 among others.
Last year, I spent the bulk of ...

How Asia's Female Bodybuilders Are Smashing Gender Stereotypes About Body Image

27 Dec 2017  |  Forbes  |  English  |  Body Image

Female bodybuilders in Asia, like Anna Christianne Ho and Jayne Lo, are challenging gender stereotypes and societal norms about body image. Despite facing criticism and gender discrimination, they are gaining acceptance and inspiring others through social media and personal training. The article highlights the struggles and achievements of these women, emphasizing the importance of fitness and strength for personal well-being and confidence.

Tags:

Body Image Gender Stereotypes Female Bodybuilding

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

I'am a storyteller.

Association of body image perception and (dis)satisfaction with adiposity in adults: The Pró-Saúde study

10 Jun 2024  |  journals.plos.org  |  English  |  Body Image

The study investigates the association between body image perception and dissatisfaction with adiposity in Brazilian adults, using data from the Pró-Saúde study. It reveals a high prevalence of body image distortion and dissatisfaction due to excess weight, particularly among women. The research compares adiposity classifications derived from BMI and DXA measurements, finding that anthropometric measurements explain much of the variability in body image dissatisfaction, especially in men. The study suggests that simpler anthropometric methods are sufficient for assessing body image variability, except for the perceptual dimension in women, and highlights the need for health professionals to consider body image issues in their assessments.

Tags:

Body Image Adiposity Health

Informative

Factuality Scale

Former jurist in international and european law, I'm a journalist based in Nantes and in Paris, France. Currently working as a freelance journalist at Euronews and as a press correspondent for justice at Ouest France (1st french daily newspaper). I'm also working for severals architecture's ...

Children's words: 'When I was 6 or 7 years old, I wore things that were in fashion, but they squeezed my stomach, so I stopped'

26 May 2022  |  www.lemonde.fr  |  French  |  Body Image

A young girl shares her thoughts on fashion and body image while waiting at Brussels-Midi station. She expresses a preference for comfortable clothing over trendy but uncomfortable items and recounts a hurtful comment about her weight. The conversation highlights her confidence in her choices and her disregard for peer pressure regarding fashion.

Tags:

Body Image Children Fashion

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Holly Quan is a journalist based in Martinez, United States of America.

Generational Views on Barbie: Evolving Perceptions and Brand Image

03 Apr 2023  |  www.audacy.com  |  English  |  Body Image

The article discusses the changing perceptions of the Barbie doll across generations, particularly focusing on Gen Z's views. A study by Harmony Healthcare IT, which surveyed 1,000 women, found that while 53% of Gen Z respondents saw Barbie as the ideal body type, there were concerns about the doll promoting unrealistic body standards and potential body image issues. However, the article also notes a positive shift, with many recognizing that newer Barbie models better represent diverse body types and careers. KCBS Radio's Holly Quan interviewed Jennifer Tracy from Harmony Healthcare IT to delve into these findings and the evolving brand image of Barbie.

Tags:

Body Image Cultural Phenomenon Generational Perspectives

Alba Sanchez is a journalist based in Barcelona, Spain.

Physical self-concept and body satisfaction of adolescents in relation to school Physical Education: systematic review

28 May 2024  |  Dialnet  |  Spanish  |  Body Image

The main objective of this research was to determine the factors related to the physical self-concept and body satisfaction of adolescents in relation to school Physical Education through a systematic review. The study followed PRISMA guidelines and included eight articles, identifying four key factors: satisfaction of basic psychological needs, promotion of emotional security, encouragement of extracurricular physical exercise, and avoidance of appearance comparisons. These factors can serve as tools for Physical Education teachers to enhance basic needs satisfaction, motivation for extracurricular physical exercise, emotional security, and avoidance of appearance comparisons.

Tags:

Body Image Adolescent Health Physical Education

Factual

Factuality Scale

Zuva Seven is a freelance writer, editor, and founder of An Injustice!—an intersectional publication based on Medium. 

As a freelance writer, she writes along the intersections of race, sexuality, mental health, and politics. She has since written for several publications, including Business ...

My Family Shamed Me About My Relationship With Food

27 Aug 2019  |  ZORA  |  English  |  Body Image

The narrative explores the author's experiences with family shaming regarding their weight and eating habits. The author recounts instances of being singled out during meals and subjected to critical comments from family members, particularly their father. The story highlights the emotional and psychological impact of such treatment on the author's relationship with food and self-image.

Tags:

Body Image Family Dynamics Mental Health

Opinionated

Factuality Scale

Diane Shipley is a journalist based in Sheffield, United Kingdom. She specializes in books, pop culture, and health (especially unusual conditions, revolutionary treatments, and how technology intersects with our physical and emotional well-being). Her bylines include The Guardian, The Washington ...

Hollywood’s Depressing History of Putting Thin Women in Fat Suits

08 Aug 2018  |  www.vice.com  |  English  |  Body Image

Hollywood has a long history of using fat suits to portray thin women as fat, often reinforcing negative stereotypes about fatness. The Netflix show Insatiable has sparked backlash for its portrayal of a girl who loses weight to seek revenge, perpetuating harmful clichés about fat women. Fat suits are criticized for contributing to the stigmatization of fat people and are often used to mock women. The article highlights the need for better representation and storytelling in media, allowing marginalized groups to tell their own stories.

Tags:

Body Image Hollywood Fat Suits

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

I am a journalist, content writer, and editor based in Mumbai, India. 

I write about travel, culture, and social justice. My essays and journalism have appeared in BBC Culture, Bon Appétit, CNN, Explore Parts Unknown, HuffPost, The Independent, South China Morning Post, The Sydney Morning Herald,...

Embracing My Body Hair (...Kind of)

03 Jan 2019  |  Thinx | Thinx Teens | Thinx for All Leaks  |  English  |  Body Image

The article explores the author's journey and struggles with body hair, influenced by societal norms and personal experiences. It highlights the pressure to conform to beauty standards, the role of societal conditioning, and the experiences of others who have embraced their body hair. The author reflects on the challenges of accepting body hair and the impact of role models in shaping perceptions. Ultimately, the author concludes that personal comfort and confidence are paramount, whether one chooses to embrace or remove body hair.

Tags:

Body Image Self-Confidence Societal Norms

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Benedict Smith is a journalist based in Palma, Spain. He writes for the online sports publication, 90min.com, and has also written in the culture and travel sections for Redbrick newspaper in Birmingham. In 2016, he was the chief content writer for a start-up company based in Santiago, Chile, where ...

Some women are too overweight to wear yoga pants, Lululemon founder insists

05 Jan 2024  |  The Telegraph  |  English  |  Body Image

Chip Wilson, founder of Lululemon, criticized the company's diversity efforts, suggesting some women are too overweight to wear its yoga pants. He accused the brand of trying to appeal to everyone, which he believes dilutes its identity. Wilson's comments have been met with disapproval, and Lululemon has distanced itself from his views, emphasizing its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Wilson's past controversies, including remarks about body types and quality issues with the brand's products, are also highlighted.

Tags:

Body Image Corporate Controversy Diversity and Inclusion

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Robyn Smith is an award-winning broadcast journalist, CNN fellow, content creator and social media producer with twenty years experience in the industry, including television news anchoring, reporting, script writing, producing, news planning and copy editing. 
She's reported from across the ...

Robyn was told she'd be 'unpleasing' if she took out her breast implants. She went flat

10 Nov 2024  |  www.sbs.com.au  |  English  |  Body Image

Robyn Smith, carrying the BRCA2 gene mutation, underwent a double mastectomy to reduce her high risk of breast cancer. Initially opting for breast implants, she later experienced numerous health issues, leading her to remove the implants and embrace a flat chest. Despite societal pressures and aesthetic judgments, Robyn found improved health and confidence post-explant surgery. She now advocates for greater awareness and support for women choosing to go flat after mastectomy, emphasizing the importance of informed, unbiased decision-making regarding body autonomy.

Tags:

Body Image Breast Cancer Health

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Chris Taylor is a journalist based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with a long-standing interest in China-Taiwan relations and in Thailand and Southeast Asian affairs in general.

I starved myself for days after being bullied for being fat, says Love Island star Anton Danyluk

01 Oct 2023  |  The Sun  |  English  |  Body Image

Anton Danyluk, a former Love Island star, revealed his struggles with body image and bullying, leading him to starve himself during school. He now advocates for more support for children facing similar issues, highlighting the pressures from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Danyluk has shifted his fitness business focus to promote a healthier lifestyle and launched the Can-Do Crew app with his mother. Childline reports a significant number of calls from children in Scotland about eating disorders, emphasizing the growing concern over body image issues among the youth.

Tags:

Body Image Bullying Mental Health

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Eileen Truax is a veteran journalist specialized in migration and politics. She’s a Knight-Wallace Fellow 2019-2020 at the University of Michigan. She currently lives in Ann Arbor.

Eileen was born in Mexico City, where she was a political reporter and a Congress correspondent. In 2004 she moved ...

On Women's Day 'Fat', by Eileen Truax

08 Mar 2023  |  HispanicLA: la vida latina desde Los Ángeles  |  Spanish  |  Body Image

The article discusses the societal pressures on women to maintain a slim figure, highlighting the pervasive influence of media and commercial standards on body image. It contrasts past and present attitudes towards body weight, emphasizing the psychological impact on women of all ages. The author calls for a shift in perspective, advocating for self-acceptance and a more objective view of body image, while acknowledging the importance of health and well-being.

Tags:

Body Image Women's Rights Media Influence

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Factuality Scale

Erin Zaleski is a versatile journalist based in Paris specializing in France, travel, features, culture, human rights, politics, and international news. She covered the 2015 terror attacks in Paris, as well as politics, features, and entertainment. She has written for Newsweek, Agence France-Presse,...

Norwegian Town Says Goodbye to the ‘Perfect Beach Body’

12 Dec 2017  |  www.thedailybeast.com  |  English  |  Body Image

Trondheim, Norway's third-largest city, has enacted new legislation banning public advertisements featuring manipulated images of models to combat negative body image issues. The regulations, supported by leftist legislator Ottar Michelsen, aim to reduce unrealistic beauty standards. Critics, like conservative legislator Yngve Brox, argue the measures are overregulation and difficult to enforce. The initiative has garnered international attention, with experts like Beth Mayer from the US praising the move and suggesting America could follow suit.

Tags:

Body Image Advertising Regulations

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Left

Political View