What is 'Skinnymaxxing' - and why are health experts concerned about it?

What does skinnymaxxing mean?

Skinnymaxxing is one of a number of brands of the ‘maxxing’ culture that has emerged on social media in the last few years. It is an online weight loss trend that refers to certain behaviours that lead to weight loss, or maintaining a particularly slender figure.

Maxxing itself has become a social media sensation, with influencers suggesting we ‘max’ anything from fertility, to looks, to gym, and even just simply ‘healthmaxxing’. The ‘max’ culture generally stems from the belief that more must be better. But while it is human nature to want better, has this new trend blown health and wellness expectations out of proportion from what is sensible?

My answer is a resounding, yes.

Why has skinnymaxxing become popular?

Return of thin beauty standards

Fashions change, we all know that. And body shapes are far from exempt. The 1900s saw a huge variation in what was desirable, from the boyish, flat chested ideal of the 1920s flapper, to the curves of 1940s Hollywood - think Marylin Monroe. The trend then swung back to the skinny 60s with the birth of the mini-skirt - hello, Twiggy - before moving towards the more toned, athletic Jane Fonda-style ideal of the 80s, and finishing off with the ‘heroin chic’ many will remember from the 90s.

And while we seem to have had a brief return to the ‘strong is the new skinny’ idea in the 2010s, it seems that we are well and truly back into the skinny ideals.

Weight loss culture

The other big feature that coincides with this trend is of course weight loss drugs. Don’t misunderstand me - semaglutides absolutely have their place, and I have supported many clients who need to lose weight to improve their health. They really can be life changing, when done right, on the right person.

However, not all people taking weight loss drugs necessarily have all that much weight to lose to begin with. The term, 'Ozempic face' has even been coined to describe the sunken looks of someone who might have taken the drugs too far. Seeing previously more rounded faces and features of beloved celebrities turn more angular and, in some cases, gaunt, surely feeds into the beauty standards of today.

What are the risks of skinnymaxxing?

You might have gathered by now that I am not a fan of this trend. The reasons why are broad, but let’s start with the physical.

Physical effects

The reduction in energy intake and nutrients, alongside increased energy output that is classic of skinnymaxxing culture leads to reduced energy for the body to be able to continue functioning normally. This can cause issues body-wide.

Mental health effects

Skinnymaxxing doesn't just affect your physical health - it can also have a significant impact on your mental wellbeing.

This can include:

• Mental health issues - irritability, depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, emotional blunting.

• Cognitive issues - reduced concentration, brain fog, poor memory, impaired decision-making.

Could skinnymaxxing lead to disordered eating and eating disorders?

Disordered eating is the behaviour that can lead to an eating disorder, and can still be very damaging to your health.

Examples of disordered eating behaviours include:

• Restrictive eating.

• Purging and laxative use.

• Excessive focus on food.

• Excessive focus on body image.

Many of these behaviours are often promoted in skinnymaxxing culture. So yes, skinnymaxxing can absolutely lead to a person becoming more vulnerable longer term to disordered eating. This may progress to eating disorders such as an obsession with ‘pure’ foods (orthorexia) and significant food restriction, sometimes coupled with purging (anorexia).

What does healthy weight management look like?

Not all people following the skinnymaxxing trend will develop an eating disorder. Weight management is often recommended as a part of a healthy lifestyle, and making healthy food choices can lead to wide reaching benefits in the body.

The Mediterranean diet is often recommended as an approach to healthy eating, with a focus on fresh vegetables, pulses and grains, beans, fish, nuts, fruit, and meat in moderation. Reducing ultra-processed food intake while limiting alcohol consumption is advisable.

It is important to remember that weight and body shape only tells onskine small part of the story of health. A person can be at a higher weight and metabolically healthy. If you are looking to lose weight, seeking guidance from a nutritionist can help ensure it is done responsibly.