The Barbie doll, an icon since its debut by Mattel on March 9, 1959, has been a source of both fascination and controversy. Created by Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, and named after her daughter Barbie, the doll quickly became a cultural phenomenon, available in both blonde and brunette versions. However, alongside her elaborate outfits and seemingly perfect lifestyle, Barbie has faced criticism for promoting unrealistic beauty standards and potentially influencing harmful diet culture behaviors. This article delves into the complexities surrounding the "Barbie doll diet," exploring its historical context, potential impact, and the evolving efforts to promote a more inclusive representation of beauty.
The Origins of Controversy: Unrealistic Body Image
Critics have long argued that Barbie's body proportions are anatomically impossible and promote anorexia. The original Barbie was designed as a 1/6th scale model of a real person, which, translated to human measurements, would be 5'9" tall and weigh approximately 110 pounds. This results in a BMI of around 16.25, a figure that the New York Times associates with an increased risk of health problems related to anorexia.
To illustrate just how unattainable Barbie's body type is, let's compare her measurements to those of an average 18-25 year old woman:
- Head: Barbie's head is 2 inches larger than the average woman's, which, in her case, might be beneficial, considering all of her occupations.
- Neck: With a neck circumference of 9 inches, about half the size of a woman's, Barbie would struggle to hold her head up.
- Wrist: Barbie's 3.5-inch wrist circumference would result in extremely weak grip strength, making it difficult to carry even a designer purse.
- Waist and Hips: Barbie's waist and hips are so small that her body would only be able to house half a liver and a few inches of intestine, leading to digestive and nutrient absorption issues.
- Ankles and Feet: With super slim ankles and size three feet, walking in her signature high heels would be impossible.
If Barbie were a real person, she would have a BMI of 13.6, be 6 feet tall, weigh 100 pounds, and have a 16-inch waist. The CDC reports that the average measurements for adult women aged 20 and older are 5 feet 3.5 inches, 170.8 pounds, and a 38.7-inch waist circumference.
This stark contrast highlights the unrealistic expectations that Barbie's body type can perpetuate, potentially leading young girls to become dissatisfied with their own developing bodies and pursue unhealthy methods to resemble their favorite doll.
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The "Barbie Doll Diet": A Dangerous Concept
The focus on Barbie's physical appearance has led to the emergence of various "Barbie doll diets" and workout plans, often marketed towards young girls. In 1965, the Slumber Party Barbie doll was accessorized with a dieting book and a scale that read "110 pounds." The dieting book contained disturbing messages like "don't eat" and "how to lose weight." These types of marketing tactics can distort children's relationships with food and their bodies for life, as they promote restrictive eating and weight loss as essential for achieving a "perfect" body.
Barbie's Influence on Diet Culture: Key Factors
Barbie's influence on diet culture can be attributed to several factors:
- Unattainable Body Type: As previously discussed, Barbie's body proportions are anatomically impossible, setting an unrealistic standard for young girls.
- Focus on Physical Appearance: Barbie has always been idolized for her physical appearance, suggesting that her worth and success depend on her looks. This can lead girls to prioritize their appearances over more important aspects of their identity, such as their passions, hobbies, and talents.
- "Barbie Doll Diets" and Eating Disorders: The emergence of Barbie-themed diets and workout plans, particularly those targeting young girls with messages of restrictive eating and weight loss, can contribute to the development of eating disorders.
- Lack of Doll Diversity: For most of Barbie's history, Mattel failed to showcase and celebrate female diversity, perpetuating the idea that only those who fit a specific mold of thin-bodied, white, blonde, and blue-eyed are valued by society.
Margot Robbie's Approach: A Balanced Perspective
In contrast to the unrealistic ideals associated with the traditional Barbie doll, actress Margot Robbie, who played Barbie in the 2023 film, embodies a more balanced and realistic approach to health and fitness.
Margot sticks to a solid workout routine, hitting the gym three times a week for a mix of weights, ab workouts, and cardio. But she's not just a gym rat! The rest of the week, she's out and about, enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, surfing, jogging, and biking.
Barbie is all about balance when it comes to her diet. She loves her curvy figure and doesn't want to give up her favorite foods to count calories. Her usual routine includes porridge for breakfast and an immunity-boosting smoothie in the morning. But that doesn't mean she never indulges! Margot enjoys dining out and treats herself to burgers, fries, and a pint of beer. When she needs to look extra fit and slender for shoots, she goes for a more extreme diet, like snacking on carrot sticks.
Read also: Did Barbie Ferreira Lose Weight?
Getting enough beauty sleep is non-negotiable for the actress, but winding down can be a real challenge with her busy schedule. To ensure she gets the rest she needs, Margot takes her winding down seriously. She puts on a face mask, lights some soothing scented candles, and plays relaxing music. And when she's had an especially tough day, she treats herself to a blissful bath with lots of bubbles to soak away the stress.
Evolving Towards Inclusivity: Mattel's Efforts
In recent years, Mattel has taken steps to diversify the Barbie brand and introduce a more inclusive line of dolls. This includes dolls with varying body shapes and sizes, skin tones, religions, and abilities. This is a significant step in challenging the narrow beauty standards that Barbie has historically represented.
The average American woman wears a size 16 or XL dress. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the country's current non-white Hispanic racial majority will become a minority. In 2021, 13.5% of Americans were living with one or more disabilities.
By showcasing and celebrating female diversity, Mattel can help children develop healthier self-esteem and understand that they are valued for who they are, regardless of their appearance.
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