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Have you ever felt like you're being judged for skipping the gym or grabbing fast food instead of a salad? That’s healthism in action. It’s this idea that being “healthy” isn’t just good for you; it’s the gold standard for being a good person. Society celebrates those who chase fitness goals, avoid “bad” foods, and appear to embody health: Think of Instagram influencers showing off their green smoothies and 6 a.m. workouts. But what happens when this obsession with health becomes damaging?
For many people, healthism fuels shame, anxiety, and burnout—especially when they can’t live up to these impossible standards. Worse, it overlooks the importance of mental health, treating it as secondary to physical health or ignoring it altogether.
Healthism didn’t just pop up overnight. It started with good intentions, like public health campaigns to fight smoking or encourage exercise. But somewhere along the way, it turned into a moral yardstick. It is no longer really about health; it’s about social status and a sense of superiority.
How Healthism Hurts Us
- It Labels and Shames People. Imagine someone recovering from a chronic illness being told, “You just need to eat better” or “Have you tried yoga?” Healthism teaches us to see health as a choice, which can lead to harmful attitudes toward people with diseases and disabilities. If someone can’t achieve the ideal of “perfect health,” they’re often seen as failing—or worse, not trying hard enough. Instead of empathy, they often face judgment.
- It Messes with Mental Health. Pressure to constantly improve one’s physical health can overshadow the importance of emotional and psychological well-being, leading to stress, anxiety, and even disordered eating. Furthermore, healthism tends to stigmatize those who do not fit into narrow ideals of health, which can exacerbate feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and depression.
- It’s Expensive! Think about how much it costs to keep up with the latest wellness trends: organic everything, boutique fitness classes, supplements. For many, these things are out of reach financially, yet society still expects everyone to prioritize health in the same way.
- It Ignores Systemic Barriers. The focus on personal responsibility for health doesn’t acknowledge systemic barriers that affect people. Communities facing poverty, racism, or housing instability are at higher risk for health conditions. Telling someone to “just prioritize self-care” does nothing to address such deeper issues.
Healthism and Weight Stigma: A Toxic Combo
Healthism often equates being thin with being healthy, which just isn’t true. For example, someone could be at a “healthy weight” but struggle with poor nutrition, while someone in a larger body could be active and eating well. Because of weight stigma, people in larger bodies can face constant criticism and judgment, even from doctors. This stigma is not just unfair; it can actually contribute to increased health risks.
How Do We Push Back?
- Redefine Health. Health is about more than numbers on a scale or a perfect diet. It’s also about mental health, relationships, and enjoying life. For someone living with anxiety, “health” might mean having coping strategies and a strong support system, not adhering to a fitness plan.
- Call Out Assumptions. The next time someone says, “You’d feel better if you just lost weight,” ask, “Why do you think that?” Conversations like these can challenge harmful stereotypes.
- Embrace Balance. Health doesn’t have to mean kale smoothies every day. Sometimes it’s about letting yourself enjoy pizza night with friends, guilt-free. It might also mean valuing rest as much as exercise, celebrating small victories, and recognizing that healing isn’t linear.
- Address Systemic Issues. Health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Let’s advocate for affordable healthcare, workplace accommodations, and policies that reduce systemic stressors like poverty and discrimination.
Healthism often promises happiness and fulfillment, but for many people, it only delivers stress, exhaustion, and self-criticism. We can push back against these toxic messages and create a culture where health isn’t about perfection or judgment.
Here’s the bottom line: It’s great to care about your health, but it’s not the only thing that defines you—or anyone else. Your mental health matters just as much as your physical health, maybe even more. So instead of pursuing “perfect health," let’s focus on achieving balance, compassion for ourselves and others, and enjoyment in life.
