We need to just stop commenting on other people’s bodies

Jonah Hill has shared a post on Instagram asking fans not to talk about his body, and frankly it shouldn’t be too much to ask.

Back in February the actor posted a screenshot of a Daily Mail article which showed pictures of him surfing, writing: “I don’t think I ever took my shirt off in a pool until I was in my mid 30s even in front of family and friends. Probably would have happened sooner if my childhood insecurities weren’t exacerbated by years of public mockery about my body by press and interviewers.”

He then shared another post yesterday, asking people not to comment on his body at all, whether positive or negative. “I know you mean well but I kindly ask that you not comment on my body. Good or bad, I want to politely let you know it’s not helpful and doesn’t feel good. Much respect.”

Although it’s more commonly a problem for female celebrities, Hill makes an excellent point about the issue of remarking on others’ bodies, and shows that it can affect everyone.

While celebrities’ weight loss and gain has been a topic of media attention for years, it’s something for us all to remember as well. Other people’s relationships with their bodies are intensely personal and individual, and there’s no need to comment on them.

Even if you might think you’re complimenting someone by commenting on their weight loss, you don’t know if that change is because of something like disordered eating, medication to treat an illness, depression, or any number of other reasons that are definitely not positive.

Similarly, weight gain can be the result of someone’s health improving. Lena Dunham recently noted how comments on her recent wedding photos said she looked ‘unhealthy’ as she had gained weight, but came back with a perfect response.

“When will we learn to stop equating thinness with health/happiness? Of course weight loss can be the result of positive change in habits, but guess what? So can weight gain. The pics I’m being compared to are from when I was in active addiction with undiagnosed illness.”

The lesson? There’s no need to comment on anyone’s body — it’s simply none of your business.