What must you have to be beautiful?

Ask any of the young women who belong to internet “thinspo” communities and they will tell you two words: thigh gaps.

Thigh gaps have become the most recent obsession of these young women because of their supposed indication of thinness.  The concept is that when the feet touch, a visible gap should be seen between the upper thighs.

So what’s the problem? Isn’t this a sign of slender and; subsequently, healthy legs?

Doctors say otherwise. Having a thigh gap is only a result of two things: having a genetically predisposed structure of wide set hips and pelvis or  being so extensively malnourished that the muscles on the thigh waste away leaving a gap.

This internet obsession that has plagued the pages of Tumblr, Instagram, and Pinterest raises alarm for those in the medical community.

“The issue of focusing on a particular body part is very common, what is new is these things have taken on a life of their own because of the Internet and social media.” –

Claire Mysko from the National Eating Disorder Association.

These “thinspo” communities share pictures of emaciated women as “thinspiration.”

This distorted sense of beauty is becoming more accessible and widespread due to social media. Thankfully, public figures such as plus-size model Robyn Lawley have started to advocate against the glorification of thigh gaps and instead are emphasizing having healthy, strong bodies.  

We’re hoping more will follow their lead and help thinspiration reach its expiration.