Body shaming is the act of criticizing or making negative comments about a person’s body shape, size, weight, or appearance. It is a form of bullying that can have serious psychological effects on the victim.
The psychology behind body shaming is complex and multifaceted. In many cases, body shaming stems from societal pressures and unrealistic beauty standards that promote a narrow definition of what is considered attractive or acceptable.
Some of these standards are often reinforced by the media, which bombards us with images of “perfect” bodies that are unattainable for most people.
NRG radio presenter Natalie Githinji is no stranger to critics who often feel that “maybe she needs to add a little weight”.
She has always been vocal about her journey with endometriosis. An illness that causes her to sometimes, lose a lot of weight.
aty eat and be healthy “respectfully”… some of this shade and BS people post here is not even shade… it’s Lowkey jealousy and demonic feelings …HEAL THAT….I suffer from endometriosis….so if my clothes don’t fit, or my cheek bones look wired or maybe my shoulders and jawbones look off, just let me be…niko tu poa msee…
Natalie has addressed critics in the past
- When people engage in body shaming, they are often projecting their own insecurities and fears onto others. They may feel inadequate or unhappy with their own bodies and use body shaming as a way to feel better about themselves. This behavior can be especially damaging to young people, who are still developing their sense of self and may be more vulnerable to negative comments about their appearance.
Trolls have been on Georgina Njenga’s case as well asking her to get in shape after the birth of her first daughter. She had enough, she said –
I made a whole human being in my body and I’m breastfeeding her I’ll take my time to get there because I am beautiful regardless for the stretchmarks I got I’ll embrace them because they are marks of love
Georgina Njenga
- Body shaming can lead to a range of negative psychological effects, including low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. It can also contribute to a culture of body dissatisfaction and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about certain body types.
Recently Wahu faced the same fate after posting Snapshots on Instagram. She welcomed her third daughter a few months ago. Wahu had shared photos of her giving views during a meeting held by the recently appointed Talanta Hela Creative Technical Committee. Her weight did not sit right with a few of her followers who felt that it was not ideal. Her daughter Tumiso came to her rescue saying –
I find it really sad that it is women who are talking about her body. Honestly (I) expected better from us and she literally just had a baby. You guys need to grow up for real,”
Tumi
To combat body shaming, it is important to promote body positivity and acceptance of diverse body types. This involves challenging unrealistic beauty standards, celebrating diversity, and encouraging people to love and accept their bodies as they are. It also means speaking out against body shaming and supporting those who have been affected by it.
Willis Raburu, King Kalala, Kanze Dena and more Kenyan public Figures have also faced the wrath of body shaming in the past.