Joking About a Parasite to Help You Lose Weight. Disordered or Darkly Funny?

As you might know, I am neck deep in cyclosporaisis content. Thanks to my health anxiety (which kicks into overdrive when issues that cause GI symptoms are concerned) , I am constantly thinking about the state of this particular health issue and how to avoid it.

If you're not all the way down the rabbit hole like I am, a refresher: Cyclosporaisis is an infection caused by the cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, which is so teeny tiny, it isn't visible, yet it's powerful enough to cause "explosive" diarrhea that can last for up to a month.

Yay! So fun.

Of course, because I've been seeking out every bit of information on this parasite and how to avoid it, I've seen tons of content about it...and I've noticed a real theme. There are so many jokes about people "trying" to get the parasite because...well, it sounds like a good way to lose weight.

There are videos of people saying "when there's an explosive diarrhea parasite going around but you have some weight to lose" alongside video footage of themselves hastily lettuce or raspberries, which are the two most commonly named types of produce that may carry the parasite.

Listen, some of it is kind of funny. I see people joking about planning a beach vacation after they've recovered from this illness. I see others talking about how "a good cleanse" is all they need to get to their goal weight.

But I also find myself wondering what this says about our cultural obsession with thinness, especially right now, and our willingness to put ourselves through real suffering in a pursuit of a "better" body. In a world of so much toxic messaging around how bodies should look, it just feels especially important to address.

Because yeah, people are allowed to joke (I'm not saying I'm above making this type of quip myself, if we're being honest!), but it does, I think signify something larger at play. And personally, I draw the line around making these jokes around children. What message would we be sending young, impressionable minds by doing so? That meeting a certain beauty standard is more important than health? That pain, suffering, and the risk of things like dehydration are worth it in pursuit of a smaller body?