Is the waist trainer trend squeezing your patients’ health?

If you’ve seen the viral Instagram Reel by Mattea Ingemi, you’ve probably chuckled at the idea of someone’s waist being so small that their organs “can’t fit” anymore, necessitating surgery. While the scenario is clearly a playful exaggeration, it brings up an interesting point about extreme body modifications and their potential health impacts.

While a tiny waist itself isn’t likely to cause your organs to be physically squeezed, extreme body modifications such as tight corsetry or waist training can lead to real health problems. Prolonged use of waist trainers, for example, can restrict lung expansion, making breathing difficult. It can also cause digestive issues like acid reflux due to compression of the abdominal organs, and weaken core muscles over time, contributing to back pain and poor posture.^[] These issues are generally linked to the practice of waist training, which has become increasingly popular in certain circles.

There is also a more serious condition known as abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), which occurs when intra-abdominal pressure rises to dangerous levels, potentially impairing organ function.^[] This is typically seen in trauma cases, certain medical conditions, or post-surgical complications, and not as a result of simply having a small waist. However, excessive external compression, such as from waist trainers, can exacerbate abdominal pressure and, in extreme cases, contribute to ACS-like symptoms.

While Ingemi’s Reel is all in good fun, it highlights a growing concern about how patients are misinformed about body health, especially with trends like waist training becoming more popular. Healthcare providers can use this as an opportunity to warn patients about the real risks of these practices and stress the importance of focusing on overall health rather than quick fixes.