Demi Moore’s daughter Tallulah Willis is being trolled for ‘getting fat again’ – and we honestly despair

Willis speaks about her mental health with vulnerability, humour, and grace. While she’s clearly surrounded by people who care deeply for her (Demi Moore is far from the only person to comment their support on her Instagram post), it’s still disturbing that she’s forced to deal with comments that actively seek to undermine her recovery. Not to mention dangerous.

“Body shaming can come in all different shapes and sizes, and it can exacerbate an eating disorder for someone who is already suffering.”

Fiona Yassin, a psychotherapist and founder and clinical director of The Wave Clinic, tells GLAMOUR, “Body shaming can come in all different shapes and sizes, and it can exacerbate an eating disorder for someone who is already suffering.

“There are many connotations in society of the size and shape that we are ‘supposed’ to be and that’s what many people tie their self-esteem and self-worth too. There’s a heavy perception that the number on the scales or the size of our clothes is really important and it may create a fixation for people on the size they should be. Many people come to believe that being a certain size makes them worthwhile, more attractive, more friendly, more intelligent.”

Kerrie Jones, a psychotherapist and CEO and Founder of Orri, a specialist eating disorder treatment, also highlights that weight restoration – “the period of recovery where someone who has lost a significant amount of weight (often due to restrictive or compensatory behaviours) takes careful and supported steps in gaining weight back to a healthy level for them” – is a vital aspect of recovery from disordered eating.

She explains, “The longer that someone is malnourished and exists in an underweight body, the higher their risk of developing complications such as osteoporosis, kidney problems, heart problems like mitral valve prolapse or bradycardia, and amenorrhea (loss of periods). Similarly, malnourishment can risk someone’s neurobiology, such as modulating the brain’s reward circuitry, brain volume and memory loss.”

One of the most healing, maddening parts of eating disorder recovery is noticing your body change; and yes, gain weight. The last thing you need is people goading you about your appearance – no matter how famous you are.

The troll’s choice of wording – “You got fat again” – insidiously imitates the inner dialogue that plagues many of those in recovery from body dysmorphic disorder and disordered eating.

As Yassin tells GLAMOUR, “Fat in itself is not a terrible word. What’s harmful is the way it’s used to shame and belittle others.”

Jones also adds, “So much work in recovery involves learning how to develop a kind and compassionate voice towards the challenges we face in life, including how we relate to our bodies.

“Body shaming can be incredibly undermining in this way and work to actively endorse the critical ‘voice’ of the eating disorder, keeping someone trapped in the cycle of their thoughts and behaviours.”

By publicly sharing these body-shaming comments, Willis has once again refused to let shame engulf her. In doing so, she’s set a powerful example to other young women who may be struggling with their recovery. Tallelulah, we salute you.

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can contact Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk.

For more from Glamour UK’s Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.