Spring bodies, real stories: Somatologist Faeeza Sacoor on breaking the 'weight stigma'

As Spring ushers in warmer days, the spotlight often turns to the idea of having the “perfect summer body.”

But this narrow beauty standard can leave many people feeling overlooked or pressured, especially those with fuller figures. In today’s world, where body image directly impacts self-esteem and wellbeing, addressing weight stigma has never been more important.

In this exclusive interview with Africa Jamz FM News, Somatologist Faeeza Sacoor, who has over 30 years of experience in the beauty and wellness industry, shares her insights on how weight stigma affects mental health, lifestyle choices, and the broader conversation around body inclusivity.

*With more than three decades of experience, Somatologist Faeeza Sacoor has empowered clients to feel comfortable, secure, and confident in their own bodies. Picture: Supplied*

How society views weight and body image

With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, Faeeza shares her insights on how societal perceptions of weight and body image have evolved—particularly during the Spring and Summer seasons.

“About 30 years ago, skinny models were always seen as the standard of beauty. Then trends shifted as kids experienced body shaming, a topic highlighted in the show Thirteen Reasons Why. The modeling industry and media began showcasing bigger bottoms and fuller figures, like Jennifer Lopez’s, who proudly embraced her body. Celebrities followed this trend, making bigger hips and buttocks a fashion statement and sex symbol in music videos.

“The trend has always been about getting ready for summer during spring—preparing the ‘bikini body’ with laser hair removal, tanning, diets, and quick fixes offered at salons like EMS, G5, and lipolysis. Groups like Weightless and Herbal Nutrition have consistently been at the forefront of achieving a healthy body and mind, standing the test of time due to their research and success. With free wellness assessments at my clinic (Sandton Beauty Clinic), we help people become healthy, happy, and confident in their bodies.

“Healthy habits were never a priority in the past. We then moved toward fad diets, intermittent fasting, lipolysis, and now we are in the current era of the Ozempic hype, fueled by celebrities like the Kardashians losing weight,” said Faeeza.

Somatologist Faeeza Sacoor proudly showcases this client’s impressive transformation after undergoing EMS treatments three times a week and PPC once a week for two months—captured in these before-and-after photos. Picture: Supplied

Pressure of achieving a so-called “summer body”

Faeeza also explores how the pressure to have the so-called “summer body” fuels weight stigma and impacts individuals’ self-confidence.

“So, everyone wants to be cellulite-free and look good in their swimwear. Men and women want to impress each other, which is why the ‘summer body readiness’ trend became popular in our industry. This is great because people are moving away from comfort foods and sedentary habits—like eating and watching Netflix in front of the heater or working online—and instead going outdoors to jog and enjoy the weather. Taking off those winter garments and showing some skin makes a healthy and fit summer body a priority,” said Faeeza.

Long-term effects weight stigma can have on someone’s mental and physical health

From her professional perspective, Faeeza discusses the long-term impact weight stigma can have on a person’s mental and physical well-being.

“Weight stigma can have long-term effects on mental health, causing those affected to become antisocial and depressed. Imagine a room full of skinny people, and an overweight individual enters. Everyone starts talking about their tiny bits of cellulite or how horrible overweight people are, or even giving off the vibe that it’s not beautiful—often influenced by figures like the housewives or celebrities such as Victoria Beckham. This can also lead an overweight person to starve themselves, resulting in eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, which can ultimately be life-threatening,” said Faeeza.

Under the expert care of Faeeza, this client also underwent a focused two-month program with EMS three times per week and PPC once weekly, resulting in this impressive before-and-after transformation. Picture: Supplied

The role beauty and wellness professionals play in challenging weight stigma and promoting body inclusivity

Speaking candidly about how beauty and wellness experts contribute to challenging weight stigma and fostering body inclusivity, Faeeza shared the following insights:

“We need to promote wellness assessments, just like we currently do with Herbalife, focusing on gut nutrition and supplementation. It’s important to discuss why protein absorption is crucial for overall body health and mental wellness. Then, we can move on to natural topical treatments that help build muscles rather than just making you skinny. The focus should be on preventing diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancers, liver dysfunction, and mental illness, leading to a healthier, more balanced life in all aspects,” said Faeeza.

Practical steps individuals can take to embrace their bodies and feel confident

As the conversation wrapped up, Faeeza shared practical tips for embracing one’s body and boosting confidence in the face of society’s limited beauty ideals.

“I always advocate a God-consciousness when looking in the mirror and telling yourself, “God made no mistakes in creating me as He wanted, which is to perfection, and that is why I am perfect and loved by Him.” Then close your eyes and picture a vacuum cleaner in front of a dirt road ahead of you, blowing out all the dust so you can see the clear path ahead. That is where you are heading—do not let anyone stop you. And to end this, I am writing a book called Keep Going, and I would like to leave you with the first chapter,” said Faeeza.

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