We’ve normalized chasing aesthetics—but we don’t talk enough about the trade-offs that can impact health in the short and long-term.
Low energy availability doesn’t just impact athletes. It can affect overall performance—including high-performing professionals balancing demanding careers.
Society places a huge emphasis on physical appearance. As much as we’d like to believe this has improved through social media activism and shifting narratives, the focus is still very much alive. In some ways, it could be argued that social media has only amplified it.
With the introduction of GLP-1 medications and similar products, achieving a lower body fat percentage—or simply a lower number on the scale—has become more accessible than ever. These medications can be incredibly effective for the right person. But they can also be used for the wrong reasons, and that’s where potential long-term consequences come into play.
Medications aside, crash dieting, overly complicated protocols, and excessive supplement use are often driven by the pursuit of losing those last few pounds, reaching a certain body fat percentage, or—being honest—trying to look like a favorite influencer, actor, or model. And this isn’t limited to one group. Athletes, recreational gym-goers, busy moms, and high-performing professionals can all fall into this.
The pursuit of a certain look is often prioritized over physical performance, cognitive function, and long-term health. So how can this actually play out—for both athletes and the general population?
Let’s break it down.
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