Athlete Warns of Social Media's Dangerous Diet Culture After Personal Health Crisis

Lisbon, Portugal – In a candid video shared online, content creator Kate Glavan issued a stark warning against the pervasive and dangerous diet culture propagated by some social media influencers. Drawing from her personal battle with an eating disorder, Glavan highlighted the severe health consequences that can arise from restrictive eating and excessive exercise. At just 17, while a recruited volleyball player, Glavan experienced an eating disorder that led to significant health issues, including the loss of her menstrual period. She recounted a shocking doctor's visit where she was told her bone density was comparable to that of an 80-year-old woman, despite her athletic physique. "Skinny does not equal healthy," Glavan emphasized, debunking the myth that low body fat automatically equates to good health. Glavan criticized online creators who promote extreme diet and exercise regimens, stating, "They don't know what the f*** they're talking about." She stressed that such advice is often misinformed and can lead to serious long-term health problems, including heart attacks. "You need to eat regardless if you're exercising or not," she advised, underscoring the brain's need for calories to function properly. The content creator urged her audience, particularly young women, to block and unfollow individuals promoting dangerous eating habits. "If you told me that I'm not gonna be able to walk in my 50s and my 60s, not be able to hold my grandkids, not be able to go on a hike with the love of my life, that's what snapped me into recovery," she shared, highlighting the importance of long-term health over fleeting appearance goals. Glavan concluded by imploring viewers not to sabotage their future by believing they need to eat less.

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