International No Diet Day (INDD) is annually observed across the globe on 6th May to promote body positivity, self-acceptance, and the acceptance of all body shapes and sizes, as well as raise awareness about the dangers of extreme dieting.
- The symbol of International No Diet Day is a light blue ribbon.
- The theme of INDD 2024 is “Embrace Yourself: Reject Diet Culture, Love You”
Objective:
i.To promote a healthier and more sustainable approach to health and well-being that focuses on self-love, body acceptance, and mental and emotional well-being.
ii.To raise awareness of eating disorders, a major mental health problem that affects people of all ages, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Background:
i.Mary Evans Young, a British feminist and director of Diet Breakers, established the International No Diet Day in 1992.
- Diet Breakers is an organisation that promotes body image and healthy living.
ii.The first No Diet Day on 5th May 1992, in Hyde Park, London, the United Kingdom (UK). It was a small picnic attended by a dozen women who wore stickers that read, “Ditch That Diet.”
iii.However, the date was subsequently changed to May 6 in 1993 to avoid conflicts with Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
Benefits & risks of Dieting:
i.A healthy diet can improve and maintain health. This will reduce the risk of heart disease by maintaining blood pressure and cholesterol level.
ii.Extreme dieting can cause lean muscle breakdown, which can slow the metabolic rate. It can also cause fatigue, dizziness, and hunger.
