International No Diet Day is a day for celebrating diversity and embracing all forms of human life. It is celebrated on the 6th of May every year since its inception in 1992.
Fashion divides men into 4 distinct body types – Oval, Triangle, Rectangle, and Rhomboid. You can make out the differences in the various body types by looking at the illustration below. Even men are not exempt from body slotting and the rhomboid is worshipped as the epitome of manhood.
Further still , coming to the female gender, women are divided into 5 major categories based on the dimensions of the bosom, waist and hips. Namely these are – Strawberry ( inverted triangle ), Banana( Rectangle),Apple ( Big bosom and midriff ),Pear( heavier lower abdomen, hips and thigs) and Hourglass figure.
The Ideal beauty was one who had high, rounded, youthful breasts; slender yet muscular features; a small waist; wide hips and thighs; long, hairless legs; and red lips and cheeks. most people could not achieve this look, thus ancient Roman women resorted to cosmetics and belts to cinch their waist and emphasize their breasts.
In the 15th century, after the black Plague claimed millions of life. Fashion was more about looking healthy and fertile. Women in France and Burgundy would conceal a packed sack beneath their clothes to give the appearance of being pregnant.
The soft, rounded, and sensuous feminine figures were much in vogue in Rubens’ time . It was a celebration of chubby cheeks, slender limbs, and chubby arms.
After industrialization, the definition of beauty changed much faster.
In the 19th century, a woman was attractive if she had with narrow waists, high conical breasts and dainty feet . To achieve this unnatural look ,ladies wore costumes with voluminous starched sleeves and corsets with padding at breasts and hips.
Buxom breasts made a comeback as a symbol of hope and solace immediately after the world depression.
The post-war era portrayed a physical ideal for women that was extremely slender, had no defined waist and had very thin limbs. This androgynous appearance for both sexes challenged the 1950s’ social conformity.
Indeed , in the 1980s, the focus was on being thin, but not malnourished. Hence, muscle tone was crucial since it contributed to the 1980s “working woman” stereotype of an active lifestyle, particularly in the arms and legs. Aerobics ruled the day. The 1980s saw a huge increase in the popularity of gym wear, which included spandex, leggings, ankle warmers, and headbands. It was just as crucial to flaunt HOW you achieved that aerobics physique.
Kate Moss personified the “heroin chic “ anorexic look in the 1990s. Even those ladies who preferred not to be as trim as the supermodels embraced the lean appearance. Long, lean legs, angular bones, and a defined jawline were in vogue, as were short skirts. Subsequently a lot of girls started following this unhealthy trend and concerns started rising above their health.
In the early 1990s there was a lot of pressure to be thin , so much that the stick thin models with the collar bones and cheek bones jutting out ruled runways. It created an unhealthy trend towards eating disorders in young girls. Even Princess Diana confessed to suffering from Bulimia , an eating disorder.
As a countermeasure to this trend, a feminist movement called “Diet breakers “ was born in the United Kingdom. Mary Evans Young spearheaded this campaign that decried body shaming and urged people to embrace their natural body shapes. Since 1992 , 6th of May is being observed as International NO Diet day to spread more body positivity and encourage sustainable and healthy body images amongst youngsters.
“Personally, I think that the “ideal” body is the one you’re living in. Whether you are an apple or a banana or a peach, remember you are sweet and full of zest and that’s what counts.
Share this post if you agree with me. I welcome your suggestions and comments, go on make my day!
(This post is my contribution to BlogChatter’s Initiative #CauseAChatter where we talk about #MentalHealth )
Pics – istock, pexels
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I second that. We should be proud of whatever body shape we have got. There is always a room for improvement but not to compare ourselves with others. If it is required to live a healthy life then we should make efforts towards thatz
Every one’s shape is unique. I admire the friends of mine who have a rounded bottom but also understand that eating healthy is a must whatever shape your body is.
I wasnt aware of International No Diet Day. Agree with you, we should promote body acceptance and raise awareness about the ill-effects of diet culture. We should embrace our bodies and focus on health and well-being instead of adhering to strict diets or harmful beauty standards.
I loved the end message of your post and I also believe in the same. following a healthy lifestyle and feel happy the way you are is more important that follow a special diet or looking in certain way. great that now we have a dedicated day to celebrate this thought.
Never knew International No Diet Day exists. But your take on the same is commendable. We should all be happy and content on how we are, aiming to be healthy is enough
Never knew International No Diet Day exists. But your take on the same is commendable. We should all be happy and content on how we are, aiming to be healthy is good enough.
Beauty and fashion has come a long way but yet there is a need for the mindset shift. It is very important to understand that each one is unique and holds a special place.
Loved reading the last lines of this post, thank you for writing that. I hope girls and women & also men & boys, stop following such senseless trends around how one’s body should look like to feel pretty. It’s good that the number of people shutting down body shaming are increasing & are accepting body positivity.
When people talk about ideal body, I don’t understand this and don’t believe in too. I feel we should just love the way we are and keep yourself healthy and fit as that can keep lot of diseases away from you.
I think the term should be right diet than no diet because somehow Diet has been connected to starving but the real essence of diet is that we should eat the right food. This is for health and not weight loss. But now people directly connect the word diet to starving which is sad. Awareness is the only key
Agree totally with you, Preeti. Accept your body but eat healthily. We were all born with different shapes. Who are we to change them? I am so glad the anorexic look is gone and now even plus-sized women are walking the ramp.