By Niamh Cavanagh

The early 2000s were dominated by trends and quick fixes surrounding weight loss, from juice diets to cutting out all carbs. Many people took extreme measures to reach the “ideal” body, which was heavily influenced by the media. Celebrities and models who embodied a very slim and toned look were highly worshipped by the public, including many young women.

The “heroin chic” aesthetic, which consists of traits like pale skin, dark circles, emaciated features, stringy hair, and an androgyny-esque look, became prevalent in fashion and pop culture at the time and contributed to the growing list of unattainable standards of beauty. The emphasis on thinness led many to pursue extreme dieting and exercise regimens, often neglecting overall health and well-being in favour of reaching this narrow definition of the “ideal” body.

It is no surprise that this diet culture had a harsh effect on people's views surrounding food and body image. Many people began to adopt unhealthy eating habits, such as calorie restriction or eliminating food groups altogether. These behaviours often resulted in disordered eating patterns, including binge eating and emotional eating.

Additionally, being exposed to images of idealised bodies in the media created very low self-esteem within the public, especially among young women. The pressure to conform to these ideals contributed to a cycle of dieting and body dissatisfaction, which induced a significant decline in not only physical health, but mental health too.

Diet culture today continues to evolve but it’s still extremely relevant in many ways. There is a growing emphasis on well-being and good, healthy habits in the media today. Many of today's influencers and celebrities are encouraging healthy, balanced eating and body positivity, however, diet culture is still very much at the forefront.

Relating to the early 2000s diet trends, many people still face conflicting messages about dieting and what is considered “healthy”. The rise in the “clean eating” aesthetic on social media also contributes to this complex landscape, where individuals may feel compelled to adhere to specific standards to feel validated or accepted.

The 2000s diet culture is closely related to today's trends as the idea of the “perfect body” is something that will always be on people's minds. Whether it's dieting, extreme exercise or bizarre trends, the struggle to look a certain way is just as relevant today as it was in the 2000s.

A deep dive into the lasting impact of 2000s diet culture