1. Introduction

Why do people practice body shaming? Body shaming most likely affected by social media and culture. According to bullying statistics(n.d.), Academic studies of media and its effects on body image indicate we live in an image-heavy society online and in person (advertisements in magazines, newspapers, billboards, shopping windows, etc.) Because of this, technology has made a focus on appearance stronger than ever. Because our culture loves thin, whether it be in print ads, movies, music videos, etc., seeing something different isn’t considered fashionable. Body shaming in China is common. It happens at schools, in the workplace, and on social media. Chinese women are put under pressure to conform with often unachievable ideas of beauty, resulting in feelings of dissatisfaction with their body shape or features. This pressure causes them to practice weight control behavior in an unhealthy way and sometimes to seek plastic surgery at great cost. The most common surgery is double eyelid surgery because of the beauty stereotype that double eyelid is more attractive. I saw a lot of fitness challenges on the Chinese social media and a lot of advertisements of weight loss products on the internet and in public space in China. When I lived in China, “fat talk” was normal for me because such conversion happens in my family and school. My aunt always wants to lose weight because she feels her size is big.  I was taught that being skinny means you are beautiful. The widespread practice of body shaming in China needs to stop because it impacts women’s physical health and emotional health.

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