Even in 2026, we need to remember what causes eating disorders and why commenting on others' bodies is absolutely a no-go. "It’s a serious mental illness with the second-highest mortality rate, which can be triggered by just one innocent remark," says the
We chatted with expert Vladimíra Pekárková, who runs the Ostrava branch of the nonprofit organization Anabel, to bust the biggest myths once and for all. As a therapist, she specifically focuses on helping people dealing with these disorders. Why does she think we should avoid commenting on bodies? How did she conclude that reality shows are a scourge? And what would she advise fitness influencers?
We also included the story of Aneta Poláchová, who experienced an eating disorder (also referred to as PPP, which we'll use going forward) and now creates content to help others.
- Why you shouldn’t say someone is nicely skinny
- Why content like "What I ate today" can be harmful
- How to be a good friend and parent to someone going through PPP
Can watching someone online or on TV evaluate someone else's body trigger an eating disorder?
Unfortunately, yes. Comments about appearance have a real impact on how we perceive our own bodies. Especially when men publicly and unwarrantedly judge women's figures, it's typical body shaming. People, especially young girls without fully developed critical thinking, easily equate their self-worth with their looks. Their entire persona shrinks to one single topic – appearance, which often can't be molded to public demands. When influencers with a massive reach do this, society takes it as gospel.
Defenders often dismiss it by saying, "It's just a reality show, we guys are just having a laugh." Why can't someone with PPP rise above this?
Because it's a lived experience and a deep wound for them. These individuals work hard in therapy to believe their value isn't tied to their appearance but who they are. Then they log onto social media to see two popular, attractive guys publicly reducing women to mere numbers and pounds. It's like a slap in the face, wiping away all their progress. For teenagers urgently seeking acceptance, this means only one thing: they'll conform to the ideal at any cost.
Is societal pressure, from both immediate surroundings and social media, the main cause of the disorder?Eating disorders are multifactorial illnesses, arising from various causes. They often affect highly intelligent women and girls with a strong need for control, like med or law students who are very performance-oriented. Family plays a role too. We see mothers who are perpetual dieters and constantly criticize their own bodies. The child learns from an early age that skipping dinner is normal. Then comes adolescence, bodies change, and people comment, "You're filling out nicely." That's often enough to kick off the spiral. Sometimes it's also an escape into illness after experiencing trauma or bullying.Trends towards extreme thinness are growing on social media too. Do you see this impact on your clients?
I have clients who are ten or eleven years old. Many of them came in after seeing a TikTok video that inspired them to start losing weight. It's alarming that a third of girls aged 10 to 14 are dieting because of content that glorifies not eating. What's worse – when a thirteen-year-old starts counting calories, society praises her for her discipline instead of expressing concern. Nobody questions why a developing child is suddenly trying to lose weight.
And what about reality shows? In shows like Love Island or Bachelor, appearances are constantly discussed. How do you view this format?Honestly, it's like humanity's downfall. Reality shows purposefully select people who meet a specific attractive prototype. They create buzz, ensure viewership, but it's not a real sample of the population. It’s freeing to realize that many participants earn a living based on their looks. Regular people, who work or go to school, really don’t have time to spend days in the gym and meticulously monitor their meals. If watching such shows makes you self-critical and competitive, I advise clients to take responsibility and turn it off.
Aneta Poláchová, who creates content about PPP, mentioned that even compliments like "You’re beautifully thin" are harmful. Why is even a seemingly positive comment dangerous?
Because you're signaling that appearance is what matters most. Any comment, positive or negative, draws attention to the body. It's like saying, "Don't picture a pink elephant." You immediately picture it. We need to completely stop this. Instead of saying, "She's beautifully thin," it's more helpful to say, "She has a great smile today, she's in a good mood."
Therapist Pekárková's words are echoed by Aneta Poláchová's experience, who shares her journey with PPP on Instagram and TikTok, followed by nearly fifty thousand people.
➢What does she say about comparison?
“So many young girls write to me who are hugely affected by comparisons on social media. It didn't have such an impact on me back then, but now recovery seems much harder. The pressure is much stronger, and girls are comparing themselves intensely,” she says.
➢ What advice does she give to girls?
“Girls often start writing to me from age 13, when they begin noticing their bodies. And the stories are almost identical. The same patterns, the same thoughts. It started with bullying or pressure for perfection from parents. They wanted attention, and when they stopped eating, suddenly they got it.”
➢ What does she think about commenting on others' bodies?
“Commenting on other people's bodies isn't good because, firstly, it leads to eating disorders, and secondly, it leads to overthinking and self-doubt.”
What's the psychological impact of the return to extreme thinness trends after the body positivity wave?
It teaches us to judge by looks, not experiences. The body stops being a place for living and becomes an object to manage. Once you start viewing yourself as an object, you start fixing, reshaping, shrinking, and punishing yourself. Care turns into obsessive control, which creates a huge sense of alienation from oneself, fueling fear. And fear is the primary fuel for anxiety, depression, and PPP.
But PPP isn't just anorexia or bulimia. Can an eating disorder hide under the guise of a healthy lifestyle promoted by fitness influencers?
Absolutely. It’s called orthorexia – an obsession with healthy eating. In men, we often see bigorexia related to bodybuilding culture. The fitness world fools us into thinking we're doing something healthy. We might agree that cucumbers are healthy, but eating only cucumbers all day isn't. Society also wrongly links appearance with character. We assume someone fit is automatically intelligent and successful, while someone heavier is lazy. Yet, those fixated on a perfect body are often deeply unhappy and terrified of who they’d be without it.
What advice would you give content creators who produce lifestyle or fitness content? How can they do it responsibly?
Stop sharing numbers. Formats like "What I ate today" with exact grams and calories are like loaded guns for vulnerable followers. What’s enough for one might not suit another. And be transparent. Competitive bikini fitness or bodybuilding have little to do with health. They involve strict restrictions, women often lose their periods, and there are steroids involved. If you’re posting your physique because it supports you, admit it’s not a healthy or normal standard for everyday life.
We've covered the online space. But what if an unsolicited comment hurts in real life, from a friend or family member?
The best way is to address it immediately and clarify. Ask: “What did you mean by that?” And set boundaries: “I’m not comfortable with you commenting on my appearance. Please, don't do it." Sometimes it comes from people we don’t expect, and it paralyzes us. If it wounds you too deeply, consider therapy. It often shows you've got unaddressed issues and a fragile relationship with yourself.
How can we create a healthy and safe environment at home or among friends?
Safety starts with parents. Don’t demonize food or comment on your figure. Don’t stand in front of the mirror complaining about your thighs, and tell the kid, “You ate chocolate, go burn it off.” Create a healthy relationship with sports and food together.
In friendships, ask why you'd even comment on someone else’s body. If a friend starts exercising, don’t immediately ask if she’s losing weight. Instead, be curious about what she enjoys about it. And if you notice changes, withdrawing, and not eating, don’t ask if she’s anorexic. Say, “I've noticed you're quieter lately, is something up? I’m worried about you.” That opens the door for trust much more than confronting her about eating habits.
What would you continuously remind everyone about PPP awareness?The human body isn't a moral category. It's not a marker of success or character. I'd love for us to stop stigmatizing people with eating disorders as silly teens aspiring to be models. It’s a serious mental illness with the second-highest mortality rate, which can be triggered by one seemingly harmless comment. Judging someone’s appearance isn’t humor. It’s not just an aesthetic topic; it’s about survival. These conditions can be fatal and truly end in death.
