Social media trends have once again sparked concern among health and fitness experts, this time targeting young Kiwi women with the promise of a 'runner's waist' or 'cortisol face'. These buzzwords, as highlighted by ExerciseNZ, are misleading and potentially dangerous, leveraging fears of appearing bulky to discourage women from exercise.
The 'runner's waist' myth suggests that regular running will create a wider, boxier waist due to visible oblique muscles. However, research by Healthline debunks this idea, explaining that running primarily develops endurance, cardiovascular health, and core stability, not muscle size. The core is activated for stability and endurance at intensities far below what's required to increase muscle size, making the notion of a 'runner's waist' physiologically implausible.
Similarly, the 'cortisol face' trend claims that exercise causes facial puffiness and bloating through elevated stress hormones and cortisol levels. Medical experts from the Ohio State Wexner Medical Centre refute this, stating that it is not a recognized medical condition. While rare disorders can cause high cortisol levels and facial changes, everyday exercise and normal life stress do not lead to the dramatic facial alterations portrayed on social media.
ExerciseNZ's Richard Beddie emphasizes the irony of these trends, as they target activities that improve health, such as running and strength training. He argues that the focus should be on the benefits of exercise, including improved health, confidence-building, and overall well-being, rather than chasing social media ideals.
Beddie encourages young women to be cautious when seeking health advice from social media, emphasizing that exercise should not be about appearance but about overall health and longevity. He concludes by reiterating the importance of prioritizing one's health and well-being over fleeting trends, stating, 'Your body isn't a trend.'
This commentary highlights the need for critical thinking when encountering health advice on social media, especially when it comes to young women's perceptions of exercise and their bodies. It serves as a reminder that scientific evidence should always be sought to ensure the safety and effectiveness of any health-related trend or practice.
