Pinterest bans weight loss ads due to eating disorder concerns

Pinterest announced Thursday that it will update its ad policies to prohibit any ads featuring weight loss language or imagery. The new policy was developed with guidance from the National Eating Disorders Association, whose research has shown that young people have adopted unhealthy eating habits and increased eating disorders during the pandemic.

The blog post states that Pinterest is where people go to find inspiration to make a life they love. It's where everyone belongs, regardless of their body size or shape. Pinners can plan for the summer without having to watch weight loss ads. This will allow them to focus on what is most important.

According to the company, it is the only major platform that prohibits all weight loss ads. The new rules are a continuation of the company's existing policies against body shame and weight loss frauds. Instagram banned users below 18 years old from seeing weight loss content or certain types of cosmetic surgery in 2019.

Pinterest will ban the following items starting Thursday
Any language or imagery related to weight loss
Testimonials about weight loss and weight loss products
Any imagery or language that denigrates or idealizes certain body types
Referencing body mass index and similar indices
Products that claim weight loss by something you wear or apply to your skin

The company stated that advertisements for weight loss and appetite suppressant pills, before/after weight loss imagery, weight reduction procedures such as liposuction, fat burning, body shame, and "unrealistic claims" about cosmetic results had been banned.

Elizabeth Thompson, interim CEO of NEDA, praised the move. "NEDA is encouraged to take this important step in prioritizing mental health and well being of Pinners especially those impacted diet culture, body shaming and eating disorders," she stated in a statement. We are optimistic that this global policy will inspire other companies and organizations to examine potentially harmful advertising messages and create their own policies that will bring about meaningful change.

Pinterest is one of the most forward-thinking social media platforms in terms of limiting misleading or harmful content in its ads. Pinterest banned ads that contained "sensitive content" such as culturally appropriated or inappropriate costumes in 2016. In 2018, it also stopped running political ads. And in 2019, Pinterest was the first social media company to ban anti-vaccination content to stop misinformation spreading on its platform.