A troubling new trend on social media, the ‘chubby filter,’ allows users to visualize themselves with fuller figures, sparking concerns about a resurgence of fatphobia. Despite progress in body positivity over the past 30 years, this filter encourages ridicule of overweight individuals, reflecting societal fears and disgust. Simultaneously, the ‘skinny filter’ promotes thinness, potentially fostering unhealthy habits. As inclusivity in fashion remains limited, the obsession with unrealistic body standards continues to dominate cultural narratives.
“Not everyone cares about making others suffer,” “Disastrous,” “We live in a dystopia.” Such remarks have emerged in response to a troubling trend showcased in a recent post by Loopsider. A new and concerning filter has made its way across social media platforms: the ‘chubby filter.’ In an insightful video, our colleagues delve into this alarming phenomenon. More and more users on TikTok are employing this filter to visualize how they might appear with a fuller figure—where ‘chubby’ translates to ‘plump’ in English. Utilizing a photo, this filter, derived from the CapCut editing app, exaggerates physical features to reshape the entire body, thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence. As we approach 2025, a time when beauty standards are meant to have evolved, this ‘trend’ is raising significant concerns.
The Chubby Filter: A Disturbing Resurgence of Fatphobia
While the body-positive movement has gained traction over the past few years, its roots extend back to 1996. This means we have been championing the notion that all bodies deserve recognition and acceptance for nearly 30 years. Despite this progress, we now find ourselves taking steps backward. The rise of the ‘chubby filter’ has opened the door to ridicule and mockery. Videos featuring this filter reveal a pervasive sentiment: the idea of being overweight is met with fear and disgust. Comments like “Oh my god, no!”, “No thanks”, and “I look horrible” echo throughout these posts. It appears that fatphobia is making a resurgence, or perhaps it never truly vanished…
Fortunately, many TikTok users have taken a stand against this troubling trend. British content creator Sadie Bass raised a critical question: “Why does everyone act as if being fat is the worst thing in the world?” She expressed her discontent with the return of body-shaming in 2025, asserting that a person categorized as overweight can still lead a healthy lifestyle with balanced eating habits and regular exercise.
The Skinny Filter: A Parallel Concern
In tandem with the ‘chubby filter’, the ‘skinny filter’ has also gained popularity. As the name suggests, this filter allows users to envision themselves as slimmer, with ‘skinny’ denoting ‘thin.’ Many individuals, particularly those with rounder body types, utilize this filter in an attempt to motivate their weight loss journeys. Users of the ‘chubby filter’ express a desire to avoid looking like their altered image, while some women, already considered thin, derive satisfaction from seeing themselves even slimmer. This trend glorifies thinness and may inadvertently promote unhealthy eating habits.
The State of Body Positivity: Is It Truly Progressing?
Like many fleeting trends on social media, this one may fade away quickly. However, it prompts us to reflect on the advancements—or lack thereof—in body positivity and body shaming. For years, societal norms have equated beauty with thinness. Although numerous women have fought against these antiquated standards and advocated for the inclusion of plus-size models on runways, the struggle continues.
This issue is not novel; the fashion industry has long dictated the standards of the ideal body. Recently, several brands have taken strides toward inclusivity by featuring ‘plus-size’ models. Yet, as time progresses and Fashion Weeks come and go, this inclusivity seems to wane. In 2023, reports indicated that out of 9,137 outfits showcased during 219 fashion shows, only 0.6% were modeled by plus-size individuals (size 44 and above), and 3.8% of models wore sizes between 38 and 42, according to Vogue Business. This year, the Paris Fashion Week once again raised the question: where are the ‘normal’ bodies? The obsession with thinness remains pervasive in an increasingly demanding world.