On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. This paused many activities that were a part of people’s routines, and it was advised to stay home in order to control the spread of the virus. However, social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Tiktok, became one of the few possible ways to be together in a safe manner, and these platforms have been redefined due to the pandemic.

The influx of people turning to social media platforms and increasing their time spent on social media came with a consequence: the lack of fact-checking and the spread of misinformation. These platforms enabled unchecked information to spread quickly, and though there are times such features are useful, people became more vulnerable to consuming misinformation. Unfortunately, this includes topics that can have a great impact on one’s health, and one of which is weight loss.

There are many reasons a person desires to lose weight. It could be for self-contentment, health concerns, or even to fulfill a New Year’s resolution. Whatever that reason may be, they all share the same sentiment: it is not easy. While it is not impossible, several factors play a part in this difficulty, such as stress, hormonal changes, genetics, and the wrong approach. 

The wrong approach.

Social media, even before the pandemic, has always had an influence on people’s lives and decisions, including diet and wellness culture. It is highly pervasive; it only takes a few swipes to reach a post that relates to weight loss and diet plans. Now that people are spending more time online, the internet has become a breeding ground for new weight loss methods, while old ones have resurfaced to a greater extent. Here are some weight loss diets that gained popularity over the past year, and why you should be wary of them.

1. Tiktok User Janny14906’s Dance

Recently, an intense abdominal exercise made an appearance on TikTok, and has gained popularity ever since. This exercise, made popular by Janny14906, claims to target fat loss on the abdomen. This exercise, a dance to be specific, consists of thrusting your hips forward and backward in “crunch”-like motion. This is to be done for five minutes everyday.

Tiktok, "As long as you enjoy the skinny come together", https://www.tiktok.com/@janny14906/video/6947720868474785030, Accessed On May 25, 2021

This dance, though quite newly exposed, has gained negative responses from professionals, and for the right reason. Targeting a specific part of the body for weight loss, also known as “spot reduction,” has been proven a myth by experts. In a study that investigated the relationship between abdominal fat and target exercises, while there was presence of improved muscular endurance, there was no significant change in the abdominal area. Although what Janny14906 is promoting may not cause a negative physical health risk, her claims are misleading, which may trigger negative body images due to unfulfilled promises.

2. 75 Hard

This challenge, created by Andy Frisella, is a program described as “transformative mental toughness”. This program outlines rules including: following a diet, drinking 4 liters of water per day, reading 10 nonfiction pages per day, taking a five-minute cold shower, taking progress photos, and lastly, working out twice a day for at least 45 minutes. Failing to meet such standards requires one to start over again.

Medium, "What is #75Hard and why I'm doing it", https://medium.com/@simoncaruso_58869/what-is-75hard-and-why-im-doing-it-4ac40342447, Accessed on May 25, 2021

While the program’s goals of self-development may sound attractive to people, such guidelines impose health risks depending on the person. For example, strictly sticking to a diet plan, especially when unguided by a professional, may lead to deficiencies in important nutrients. Not only that, but working out twice a day for 45 minutes puts a lot of strain on your body, and may even increase heart health risks. Lastly, the rigidity of this program deems it unsustainable, and such short-term interventions are highly unlikely to be beneficial in the long run.

3. Keto Diet

Once developed to manage seizures of children living with epilepsy in the 1920s, this particular form of diet gained popularity over the past few years and is now used for weight management. The main idea is to reach ketosis, a metabolic adaptation that uses  fats instead of carbohydrates for energy. To do this, one’s diet must contain more protein and fat and less carbohydrates. 

Mary Condon, RN, LDN, a dietician, claims that keto diet may actually result in weight loss; however, it is a quick fix and just like the 75 Hard, unsustainable. Additionally, this diet may also come with lasting cardiovascular effects. A daily intake of red meat, according to a 2019 study, is linked to heart-related complications. While this method fulfills its promise in the short-run, it is unsustainable and may potentially cause more harm.

4. Laxative Tea

This tea, just like usual teas, comes in branding and packaging, but particular ones all claim the same thing: weight loss. By drinking it, it triggers bowel movements that “cleanses” your bowels, which then may reduce bloating.

There is no scientific evidence that currently supports laxative teas for weight loss. However, studies suggest the risks that come with drinking it in the long run, including damaged gastrointestinal system and electrolyte imbalances.  In addition to that, the prolonged use of laxatives is not recommended as it may negatively affect bowel movement in the long run. Prolonged use of these laxatives can impose longer-term health risks.

The desire to lose weight, for whatever the reason may be, has existed long before the rise of social media, and it will always be present. However, how people choose to pursue weight loss is highly important, and must be fact-checked to ensure actual benefits in the long run without harming the body. Having a conversation with your primary physician regarding weight loss and overall being proactive would ensure your safety while also reaching your goal. Losing weight is not an easy journey, but we must always prioritize our overall physical and mental health first.