Social media has transformed the way we live, and one of the biggest changes it’s brought is how we define beauty. In the past, beauty standards were very narrow, often pushed by Hollywood and fashion magazines. Whether it was the curves of Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s or the ultra-thin supermodels of the 1990s, there was always an idea that women had to look a certain way to be considered attractive.
Now, things are different. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have given a voice to women of all sizes, shapes, and skin tones. For the first time, people are seeing real, everyday women being celebrated for who they are. This has made room for a more inclusive idea of beauty, and it’s changing how people feel about their own bodies.
What’s especially interesting is that as more women embrace body positivity, research shows that the average size of American women is also increasing. A study published in the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education found that the average woman in the U.S. now wears a size between 16 and 18, which aligns with a women’s plus size 20W. That’s a big shift from the commonly cited average of size 14. The same study also revealed that the average waist size has grown from 34.9 inches to 37.5 inches over the past 20 years.
Susan Dunn, one of the researchers involved in the study, told Today that this data could be helpful not just for women, but also for clothing brands. “If we can spread awareness about what the real average is, more women might feel better about themselves,” she said. “And hopefully, fashion companies will start making more stylish and properly fitting clothes for all body types—not just hiding plus-size clothes in the back of stores or selling them only online.”
So why are American women getting bigger? There are a few key reasons. First, lifestyles have changed. More people have desk jobs and spend long hours sitting down, while processed and high-calorie foods are easy to find and cheap to buy. Then there’s the cultural shift—people are starting to accept and even celebrate bigger bodies, so there’s less pressure to diet constantly. On top of that, genetics and environmental factors like stress and access to healthy foods also play a role.
While the movement toward body positivity is a good thing, experts remind us not to ignore the health side of the conversation. The World Health Organization says obesity rates have more than doubled since 1990. And though social media has helped many people feel more confident, it can also promote unhealthy behaviors, like excessive screen time and poor eating habits.
The Mayo Clinic points out that obesity isn’t just about how someone looks. It can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer. Of the 2.5 billion adults worldwide who are overweight, many are at risk for these conditions.
Still, beauty doesn’t need to come in just one shape or size. It’s about owning who you are and feeling confident in your own skin. Social media, when used positively, can help people love and accept themselves for who they are, rather than who society says they should be.
What do you think about how social media is changing the way we see beauty? Share your thoughts and spread this story to get the conversation going with your friends.
