MHST 631: The Truth About Waist Trainers - Myths and Risks

In recent years, waist trainers have gained popularity for their perceived ability to assist women in permanently narrowing their waistlines and weight loss; however, there is a significant amount of misinformation about waist trainers circulating on the internet. Kim Kardashian, a prominent social media influencer, is a key advocate for waist trainers. She promotes contemporary body-shaping methods through her well-known shapewear brand SKIMS, which was launched in 2019 during the height of the trend (McKnight, 2020).

Despite receiving endorsements from high profile influencers, the scientific community does not support the use of waist trainers; instead, scholars highlight the potential health risks, both physical and mental, associated with their use. This blog post will provide a brief summary of the historical use of female corsetry and its modern-day application, explore the health issues related to current waist trainer usage, and suggest safer alternatives and recommendations for achieving a well-defined waistline while promoting women's independence to make lifestyle choices.

The History of Female Corsetry

Corsets have been a part of Western culture since the 16th century. They were considered vital in women's fashion in the 19th century to enhance an hourglass silhouette (Radovan and Hrženjak, 2022). As they gained more popularity, worries arose about the severe health issues resulting from tight lacing, like breathing problems and fainting. By the 20th century, their popularity waned as fashion preferences changed (Radovan and Hrženjak, 2022).

In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a resurgence in female corsetry, and currently, corsets and waist trainers are being promoted for body shaping, highlighting the persistent societal expectations for women to conform to ideal beauty standards (Radovan and Hrženjak, 2022). Gibson and Gibson (2020) suggest that the popularity of waist trainers reflects the beauty ideals and societal pressures encountered by women today. Figure 1 displays an eBay ad for a contemporary waist trainer marketed as a tool for body sculpting and weight loss.

Figure 1 –  The Fajas Colombianas Zip Latex Rubber Waist Trainer Weight Loss Cincher Slim Corset

Source: Forever Youth Shop. (2024, October 20). Fajas Colombianas Zip Latex Rubber Waist Trainer Weight Loss Cincher Slim Corset. eBay. https://m.ebay.ca/itm/353118263781

As illustrated above, the waist trainer is shown to significantly slim down the appearance of the woman on the left, and the picture on the right shows a distorted female silhouette wearing the waist trainer. Kim Kardashian's shapewear line is another example of how modern beauty ideals can commercialize women’s bodies, adding another layer of pressure to conform to unrealistic standards (McKnight, 2020).

Weighing the Benefits Against the Dangers

Although several online influencers like Anna Foxx claim that waist trainers provide the appearance of a slimmer waist and aid weight loss and sculpting with extended use, the associated risks can be quite serious. Figure 2 illustrates how corset compression can affect a woman’s shape and internal organs.

Figure 2 -Corsetry - Modification or Mutilation?

Source: DeVries, C. (2015). Waist training emerges and Frederick MD chiropractor finally loses sanity. Retrieved from http://www.chiropractorfrederickmd.com/waist-training-emerges-and-frederick-md-chiropractor-finally-loses-sanity/4

Radovan and Hrženjak (2022) note that long-term compression on the midsection, as shown in Figure 2, can lead to issues such as breathing difficulties, digestive problems, and muscle weakness. They also report that excessive reliance on waist trainers can hinder natural core strength over time.

A study by Ramcharan et al. (2020) reports that tight corsetry can compress nerves and affect circulation, potentially leading to lower limb ischemia, a serious lack of blood flow to the legs and feet, resulting in a lack of oxygen and nutrients in the tissues. Symptoms include pain during physical activities, weakness or numbness, coldness in the affected limb, color changes in the skin, and potentially non-healing wounds or ulcers in severe cases (Ramcharan et al., 2020).

McKnight (2020) discusses how unrealistic beauty standards can negatively impact women's mental health, resulting in distorted body image and low self-esteem, a concern echoed by Gibson and Gibson (2020). They argue that the relentless pursuit of an unattainable body shape affects individual well-being and perpetuates societal norms that devalue diverse body types. Both sets of authors highlight the need for greater awareness and critical dialogue about beauty standards that foster a more inclusive and positive perception of women's bodies.

What other options do women have for slimming?

Radovan and Hrženjak (2022) recommend that women prioritize healthier, sustainable approaches to waist reduction instead of relying on waist trainers or corsets. They emphasize balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and fostering a positive body image, advocating for a holistic focus on overall health. Similarly, Gibson and Gibson (2020) encourage women to embrace body positivity and reject unrealistic beauty standards. They stress the importance of self-acceptance and healthy lifestyle choices, such as balanced diets and exercise, rather than restrictive garments.

Conclusion

The use of waist trainers is controversial because of the associated health risks and the complexities related to femininity, empowerment, and personal choice (McKnight, 2020). While these products may seem appealing and provide short-term visible results, the health risks and psychological effects are dangerous to women's physical and mental health. Scholars need to approach this topic with a balanced perspective, considering both the health implications and women’s rights to choose how they present themselves in modern society (Radovan and Hrženjak, 2022).

References

DeVries, C. (2015). Waist training emerges and Frederick MD chiropractor finally loses sanity. Chiropractor Frederick MD. http://www.chiropractorfrederickmd.com/waist-training-emerges-and-frederick-md-chiropractor-finally-loses-sanity/

Foxx, A. (2021, September 27). The best waist trainers to accentuate curves and give you an hourglass body [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD6g6lLeIgc

Gibson, R., & Gibson, R. (2020). Modern corseting and how we talk about today’s women. In The corseted skeleton: A bioarchaeology of binding (pp. 197-216)

McKnight, A. (2020). The kurious kase of Kim Kardashian’s korset. Fashion Studies, 3(1), 1-20.

Radovan, I., & Hrženjak, R. (2022). Development of corset collection inspired by the influence of waist shape in the 20th century. Tekstil: Časopis za tekstilnu i odjevnu tehnologiju, 71(2), 78-91

Ramcharan, M. M., Hanandeh, A., Donaldson, B., & Safavi, A. (2020). Waist training corset: An unusual cause of acute lower limb ischemia. Cureus, 12(9)