Fat, too skinny, you look like a man, thick thigh, ugly, dark like a ghost, are you

pregnant?,
you look anorexic.

Hello Assalamualaikum! It’s me, Nur Amani Syamimi Binti Mohamad Nazir.

Can you guys guess what the relation between those words that I have mentioned just now
with the topic that I would like to deliver to all of you today? “BODY SHAMING”. Did you guys
know what body shaming is? Body shaming is defined as making inappropriate and negative
comments about another person's physical features. Fat shaming, shaming for skinniness,
height shaming, shaming of body hair, body-shape, shaming of appearance, someone's skin
color, and other forms of body shaming are all examples of body shaming. This is a serious
problem in our community right now. It occurs frequently in our daily lives without our being
aware of it. You know what? Between 2017 and 2021, 17 cases of body shaming were
reported in Malaysia. “From the number, one investigation paper was open, 3 cases have
been designated ‘no further action’ and 13 cases were referred to other agencies or the
magistrate or marked as ‘no offences disclosed’.” said Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin. It can
happen not only in verbal communication but also in social media. Body shaming on digital
platforms, on the other hand, is related to cyberbullying. The crucial point is that when
someone is exposed to body shaming by another person, they are probably to live with the
negative effects for the rest of their lives.

Let me bring you deeper into the effects of body shaming on some people. Low self-esteem
is the first cause of body shaming. It can lead to self-doubt isolation, and life dissatisfaction.
Why do I talk like this? It is based on my experience in the 3 rd grade, I have faced insecurity
when my friends often made fun of me for being black like a ghost. Body shaming also has an
impact on mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia. They
will be attacked by psychological and emotional distress, such as feelings of embarrassment,
worthlessness, guilt, and anger, among other things. It will also increase the likelihood of self-
harm and suicidality. Last but not least, body shaming can be harmful to someone's physical
health. The victims' extreme concern with body image manifests itself in unhealthy behaviors
such as strict diets, rigid exercise plans, numerous cosmetic procedures, and so on in an
attempt to change or "enhance" appearance. It also has dangerous health implications due to
body-image fixation from malnourishment as a result of developing an eating disorder that
leads to anorexia or bulimia including death.

How can body shaming be converted into body positivity? Body positivity is basically a journey
toward accepting yourself and others. You have no control over what others say or do, but
you can shift your all-or-nothing mindset and begin to see yourself as a whole person. Okay,
let me explain the basic steps that can assist you in overcoming body shaming and developing
body positivity. Stop body-shaming yourself and develop self-compassion as the first steps
toward protecting yourself from body shaming. Remember that your health takes precedence
over your physical appearance, and that should always be your top priority. Keep your
distance from others and treat yourself with kindness and understanding. We all have days
when we don't feel or look our best, but don't let this crush your self-esteem or sense of worth.
Say "no" to yourself whenever you look into the mirror and are disgusted with your face or
body. Self-care is not a selfish act; it is absolutely essential for your personal well-being. Next,
you should keep managing how much time you spend on social media. Too much time spent
on social media can expose you to body shaming and cyberbullying. Reducing or eliminating
your use of social media allows you to connect in person and improve the quality of your social
interactions. Face-to-face communication is a natural antidote to stress and may be more
beneficial than texting. Meanwhile, much research indicates that physical activities or being
close to nature, such as walking, running, swimming, dancing, hiking, and other enjoyable
sports, will make you more active. As a result, it is vital to build your confidence, self-esteem,
reduce stress, and make you feel more relaxed. Last but not least, you can make friends with
food. Mindful eating can help you remember that food is not the enemy and that you can enjoy
eating regardless of your weight. As for me, I'll be trying out new recipes and eating whatever
I want without worrying about gaining weight. With that, you can savor each bite, eat slowly,
and enjoy your food this way. But don't forget to eat a nutritious meal!

No one deserves to be bullied for the way they are. Motivation and inspiration should be the
key to making them feel loved and appreciated, not the harmful comments or emotional abuse.
You should love yourself for who you are and don’t downgrade yourself for what people have
said to you as mentioned by Alessia Cara in her song Scars To Your Beautiful “There’s a hope
waiting for you in the dark, you should know you’re beautiful just the way you’re, and don’t
have to change a thing, the world could change its heart, no scars to your beautiful, we’re
stars and we’re beautiful”. And to the body shamer, you must remember that there is one
quote which said, “Think before you speak because a word can hurt more than a knife do”. It
is because maybe when we talk to our friends, we just deliver it as a joke but for them, it’s not
a joke. Also, if you don’t have a good thing to talk about, it’s better to keep silent rather than
hurting someone’s feelings. That’s all from me. Thank you!