Title: Former Body Double in “Shallow Hal” Shares Story of Struggle with Body Image and Eating Disorders
Subtitle: Ivy Snitzer reflects on the harmful impact of the movie and her personal journey towards self-destructive behaviors
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In a recent interview with Amelia Tait, Ivy Snitzer, who served as Gwyneth Paltrow’s body double in the 2001 film “Shallow Hal,” bravely opened up about her experiences and the detrimental effects the movie had on her body image and mental health.
At the age of 20, Snitzer, an aspiring actress, eagerly took on the role of Paltrow’s double, hoping that her involvement in the film would help challenge society’s narrow view of body standards at the time. She believed that the movie would provide a progressive outlook on early 2000s body representation. Snitzer remarked, “At that point, if you saw someone obese in a movie, they were a villain.”
However, it was only years later that “Shallow Hal” faced proper critique. As The Atlantic pointed out in 2021, the movie succeeded in treating Rosemary’s body as comedy but failed to address the inherent tragedy in how it portrayed her. Reflecting on this, Snitzer, now 42 and working as an insurance agency owner in Philadelphia, has had ample time to contemplate how the film personally impacted her.
Notably, merely 15 months after the release of “Shallow Hal,” Snitzer underwent lap band surgery. She recalled thinking of the procedure as a “fantastic” idea, perceiving it as a fix for her weight issues. Snitzer acknowledged that society, placing emphasis on thinness, made her believe it was her responsibility to strive for a slimmer physique, even if it meant resorting to extreme measures.
“If you’re fat, you’re supposed to try to not be,” Snitzer expressed. “I hated my body, the way I was supposed to. I ate a lot of salads. I had eating disorders that I was very proud of.”
Sadly, Snitzer’s unhealthy behaviors went undiagnosed and untreated, as she considered them a means to achieve her idealized figure. Her physician’s warning that her life expectancy wouldn’t surpass 40 if she didn’t undergo lap band surgery only propelled her into a further downward spiral. Snitzer not only conformed to the restrictions imposed by the surgery but also engaged in excessive exercise, purging, and strict calorie limitation to achieve rapid weight loss.
She confessed, “It didn’t occur to me that I was supposed to be ashamed of those behaviors, like a lot of people are. For me, I was supposed to be proud of them,” illustrating how eating disorders often go unnoticed, especially in people in larger bodies.
The interview shed light on the fact that eating disorders affect individuals of all body sizes. Atypical anorexia nervosa, a condition where individuals have lost a significant amount of weight but are not underweight, is often misdiagnosed, as these individuals may fall within the normal weight range or even above it. Statistics from the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders indicate that people in larger bodies are only half as likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder compared to those classified as “normal weight” or “underweight.”
Dr. Leslie A. Sim, clinical director of the Mayo Clinic’s eating disorders program, emphasized that medical professionals often struggle to identify eating disorders in larger-bodied patients because society expects them to be dieting. This expectation becomes even more challenging when physicians themselves advise patients to follow strict dieting regimens. Unfortunately, as Dr. Sim highlighted, these individuals may unknowingly find themselves trapped in a cycle that spirals out of control.
While Snitzer did not specifically mention having atypical anorexia nervosa, her response aligns with the experiences of many individuals who regain a sense of control through extreme restriction. Snitzer acknowledged feeling treated better and experiencing a significant change in how others perceived her during her sickest and smallest moments.
It is essential to recognize the complexity of eating disorders and their impact on individuals across the entire spectrum of body sizes. Improved understanding, awareness, and early intervention are crucial in ensuring that those who suffer from eating disorders receive the support they need.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please visit the National Eating Disorders (NEDA) website at nationaleatingdisorders.org for more information.
Note: This article is not meant to diagnose or provide medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, please consult a healthcare professional.