Pop singer Ariana Grande has drawn widespread concern from fans after appearing noticeably thin in recent public appearances.
On her official YouTube channel, Grande recently released the music video for her new song, "Petal." In the video, she appears with gaunt cheeks and remarkably slender arms. Wearing a deep V-neck dress in several scenes, her ribs and collarbones are clearly visible, leaving her looking severely underweight.
Fans responded online with comments such as "I miss how she used to look," "Is this anorexia?" and "It doesn't look healthy for bones to show that clearly." Health concerns had previously surfaced last year after Grande appeared to have lost weight rapidly.
Following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine tour in London on September 1, Grande officially paused her professional activities. The decision came amid persistent public scrutiny over her physical appearance and health. A source close to the singer noted that she "plans to take sufficient rest to step away from the public's nonstop judgment."
Anorexia Involves Intentionally Restricting Food Intake
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by deliberate food restriction. Driven by extreme anxiety over weight gain and a distorted body image, individuals intentionally limit their food intake. Despite the name, people with anorexia typically do not suffer from a lack of appetite; rather, they actively avoid eating out of fear of gaining weight.
The disorder carries consequences that extend far beyond simple weight loss. When the body is deprived of adequate nutrition over prolonged periods, immune function declines. In particular, relying on unbalanced diets—such as consuming mostly liquid beverages—leads to essential nutrient deficiencies that prevent normal body functions.
Being Underweight Weakens Bones and Harms Mental Health
In women, severe weight loss frequently leads to irregular menstrual cycles, amenorrhea, and infertility. Severe nutritional deficits can also place critical strain on the heart, making the condition life-threatening. As the heart muscle weakens, its ability to pump blood effectively declines, increasing the risk of cardiac arrest.
Being underweight also severely impairs bone health. Reduced body weight decreases mechanical stress on the skeleton, lowering bone density. Furthermore, insufficient body fat reduces estrogen secretion, elevating the risk of osteoporosis and making bones far more vulnerable to fractures from minor impacts.
An unhealthy weight can also severely impact mental health. A study published by the American Psychiatric Association tracked 3,006 patients with anorexia nervosa and recorded 178 deaths due to medical complications or suicide, reflecting a mortality rate of 5.9%.
Avoid Treating Extreme Thinness as the Ideal
For long-term health, accepting one's body as it is matters far more than pursuing extreme thinness. Rather than placing excessive importance on scale weight or physical appearance, individuals should adopt balanced eating habits that encompass a wide variety of foods.
Instead of comparing oneself to others or treating media portrayals as the ideal standard, health experts recommend working to maintain a healthy weight and body shape suited to one's own body.
