In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with journalist, professor, and author Harriet Brown to challenge deeply ingrained myths about weight, health, and body image. Brown shares her journey from diet culture adherent to myth-buster, exploring how society's obsession with thinness affects our well-being and self-perception. Harriet Brown is a Professor of Magazine, News, & Digital Journalism at the Newhouse School of Public Communications. She has written for the New York Times, the Guardian, Slate, the MIT Technology Review, O Magazine, Psychology Today, Scientific American, Good Housekeeping, and many other publications. Her books include Shadow Daughter: A Memoir of Estrangement (Da Capo, 2018); Body of Truth: How Science, History, and Culture Drive Our Obsession with Weight—and What We Can Do About It; and Brave Girl Eating: A Family’s Struggle with Anorexia.        

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

On Diet Culture

  • Brown shares her personal journey growing up in a family where diet culture was prominent
  • How her perspective shifted when her daughter developed anorexia at 14
  • The surprising anger people express when presented with evidence that challenges weight-health assumptions

On Family Influence

  • How parents and caregivers unintentionally pass on body image issues
  • The importance of avoiding commenting on bodies—both positively and negatively
  • Brown recalls how even during her daughter's anorexia recovery, medical professionals reinforced harmful messaging

On Media & Social Pressure

  • How journalism often reinforces unfounded assumptions about weight
  • The additional challenges today's young people face with constant social media exposure
  • The financial incentives that keep diet culture thriving

On Breaking Free

  • The relief that can come from questioning long-held beliefs about body and weight
  • How perfectionism feeds into disordered eating
  • The value of therapy in developing distress tolerance

IMPORTANT TIMECODES FROM THE EPISODE:

  • 00:00 Introduction to Behind the Bite
  • 00:59 The Pervasiveness of Diet Culture
  • 01:50 Introducing Harriet Brown
  • 03:11 Harriet's Personal Journey
  • 06:30 The Impact of Weight Stigma
  • 19:45 Parental Influence on Body Image
  • 29:29 The Role of Media and Society
  • 43:05 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

HOW TO CONNECT WITH HARRIET TO LEARN MORE:

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

Thank you for tuning in to Behind the Bite! If you found this episode helpful, please share it with others who might benefit. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review.  Until next time, remember, we're here to break down barriers, challenge stigma, and support each other on the path to a better life. Part of the Los Angeles Tribune Podcast Network, produced by the Tweaky Tales. **Disclaimer:** This podcast is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information regarding the subject matter covered. It is given with the understanding that neither the host, the publisher, nor the guests are rendering legal, clinical, or other professional information. If you want or need a professional, you should find one to work with who can address your individual needs and situation.