When Modern Family actor Sarah Hyland posted this photo of herself on Instagram earlier this week, she was inundated with comments about her weight.
Some people said she looked "like a skeleton".
Anyone else notice how skinny Sarah Hyland got? She looks like a skeleton
Others told her to eat.
@Sarah_Hyland @ABCNetwork Sarrah you look like you need a coupple of doubble whoppers your looking kinda skinny girl.
@Sarah_Hyland U are so thin. Eat!!
And some even called her "anorexic".
@Sarah_Hyland I have some extra cheeseburgers if you want them. Oh wait, you aren't the other girl on modern family… https://t.co/4nohJqUX8b
@HylandFR @Sarah_Hyland OMG what happened to her?? Is she anorexic now?? Did she get a boob job?? WTF??!!!! Maybe s… https://t.co/qOxn9AaFQd
After being bombarded with similar comments on her Instagram feed, Sarah made the decision to address the subject of her weight.
In a two-part essay posted to Twitter, Sarah said that she'd had a difficult year that has caused physical changes to her body.
She wrote:
I'd like to address something that has not only been brought up on Twitter but has been heavily discussed by all of you in my Instagram comments. That something is my weight. I normally don't comment on things like this because it draws attention to those trying to spread negativity but I'm here to explain a few things and spread love. Here goes... I haven't had the greatest year. Maybe one day I'll talk about it but for now, I'd like my privacy. I will say this year has brought a lot of changes and with that, physical changes.
Sarah – who underwent a kidney transplant in 2012 – alluded to having experienced more health issues. She explained that she's been on bed rest, unable to exercise and losing muscle mass. She also added that she is "not in control" of how she looks.
Sarah wrote:
I have been told I can't work out. Which, for me, is very upsetting. I am an activist for activity (and for eating junk food in bed but it's all about balance right?) I love to be outdoors. I love to be strong. (I'll be using that word a lot.) Strength is everything. Being strong has gotten me where I am. Both mentally and physically. I am not a fan of "being skinny" which many of you have told me that I am too much of. "Eat a burger, your head is bigger than your body and that's disgusting" and you're right! I should eat a burger! Cause they're fucking delicious! But guess what. I do. And again, you're right. No one's head should be bigger than their body but considering I've basically been on bed rest for the past few months, I've lost a lot of muscle mass. My circumstances have put me in a place where I'm not in control of what my body looks like.
She then addressed the comments that suggested she was "promoting anorexia", noting the irony in the fact that the image she'd shared on Instagram was to promote anti-bullying efforts.
She wrote:
So I strive to be as healthy as possible, as everyone should. Oh and no that's not Photoshop. Those are my legs. Those are my arms. I write this because I've been accused of promoting anorexia in, ironically enough, an anti-bullying post. I posted a picture of my boyfriend's apparel line, in which part of the proceeds go to the anti-bullying alliance and in return I am bullied. Which made me laugh but then it dawned on me that young girls are reading posts that are saying that I'm promoting anorexia due to my weight. While these comments don't affect me, they may affect others. So I am here to say that no one should aim to be the weight that I am right now. I am working hard to maintain my weight by eating as much protein as possible and continue to be STRONG and healthy.
Sarah also explained that while she isn't happy with her current appearance, it's largely down to the effects of medication that is saving her life.
She wrote:
There's no need to worry! I’ve been down before and I’ll probably be down again in my lifetime but I’m steadfast and solid and will conquer my obstacles. Since I’m here…you may wonder. Am I bothered by my appearance right now? Well it’s never fun to look in the mirror and see your hard work at the gym fade away or have your legs be the size of one’s arms. But I know that when I get clearance I will be able to get back to the STRONG, lean and fabulous self I know I can be. You all will probably have something to say about that as well but it won’t affect me. I don’t mind when you say that I look pregnant. Or fat. Because I know that my face is swollen from medication that is saving my life. For those on prednisone I know what you’re going through and I commend you sticking git out as I have.
She ended her post by spreading a message of love and positivity, especially in the wake of the terrorist attack earlier this week.
Sarah wrote:
Don’t let other’s comments alter any part of you! Love and positivity is what we need most. Especially at a time like this. The world may be falling apart but it’s up to us to pull it back together. Smile. Laugh. Love. Be happy. Support your peers. Love. Work hard. Be confident. Love. Adopt puppies! Tell your mum you appreciate her. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.
Within minutes of the essay being posted, Sarah's Instagram comments were flooded with messages of support and positivity.
People even began sharing their own experiences of being body-shamed for being "too skinny".
@Sarah_Hyland Thx 4 your honesty. I'm a little skinny too and I know exactly what you are dealing with, I guess. Do… https://t.co/9WXNJEXcdl
@Sarah_Hyland I needed this. I get body shamed for being "too skinny" and I want people to understand that I do eat… https://t.co/eRnwjYqEvV
Other people who have also had health troubles that led to body-shaming began sharing their experiences with Sarah.
@Sarah_Hyland I lost 30lbs because of ulcerative colitis. I got SO many comments about being too skinny. There was nothing I could do
@Sarah_Hyland I have to take pred & my weight fluctuates Im either too skinny/getting fat Thank you for standing up for yourself & all of us
And people specifically referenced their experience of taking prednisone – an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant steroid that Sarah mentioned in her essay.
Go Sarah! 💞
