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The toilet paper challenge is trending across South Korean social media. At first glance, it looks harmless. People wrap toilet paper around their waist and count the number of sheets it takes to go around. However, doctors and mental health experts say this viral game reflects a deeper issue. It turns body size into a public score and fuels unhealthy comparison.
Although many call it light fun, the toilet paper challenge raises serious questions about body image, self-worth, and social pressure.
What Is the Toilet Paper Challenge
The idea is simple. A person tears sheets from a standard toilet paper roll and wraps them tightly around the waist, usually at the belly button level. Then they count the number of sheets used.
On social media, users often compare the result to K-pop idols. Around five sheets reportedly match a waist size seen as ideal, roughly 50 to 55 centimetres. Fewer sheets suggest a slimmer waist. More sheets often invite teasing comments.
As a result, the body becomes a number. Instead of celebrating health or strength, the focus shifts to shrinking measurements.
Viral Moment Brings More Attention
The toilet paper challenge gained wider attention when Lee Sol-i, wife of South Korean comedian Park Sung-kwang, posted her own video completing the challenge. She shared that her waist measured 4.5 sheets, which many online users considered below the so-called ideal average.
Soon after, the video spread quickly. Some viewers praised her appearance. Others compared themselves and expressed disappointment about their own bodies. What started as a personal post quickly became a public standard.
Why Experts Are Concerned
At first, the toilet paper challenge may seem playful. However, social media platforms amplify trends rapidly. When millions of people see similar body measurements repeated again and again, they may begin to believe that a certain number defines what is normal.
Mental health professionals warn that constant exposure to thin body ideals can increase body dissatisfaction. Young women and teenagers are especially vulnerable. Research consistently shows that repeated comparison to narrow beauty standards can raise the risk of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and unhealthy eating behaviours.
Moreover, reducing body weight to waist size oversimplifies health. Waist circumference alone does not define overall wellness. Doctors assess health using multiple factors such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep, mental health, and metabolic markers. No single number tells the full story.
The Hidden Pressure Behind “Just a Game”
Many participants describe the toilet paper challenge as harmless fun. Yet social comparison rarely stays neutral. Even lighthearted comments can reinforce the idea that thinner always means better.
Over time, this message can shape how people see themselves. Some may begin checking their waist repeatedly. Others may restrict food or exercise excessively to reach a smaller number.
Therefore, what appears to be a trend can quietly reinforce long-standing cultural pressure to be thin.
Your Body Is Not a Score
Health experts emphasise an important point. A body does not need to pass a challenge to be valid. You do not need to wrap toilet paper around your waist to prove your worth.
Everybody carries personal history, genetics, lifestyle, and life experiences. Shapes and sizes vary naturally. A healthy body does not look the same for everyone.
Instead of focusing on a sheet count, professionals recommend paying attention to energy levels, balanced eating, regular movement, and emotional well-being. These factors reflect health more accurately than any social media trend.
A Broader Conversation About Body Image
The toilet paper challenge highlights an ongoing issue. Many societies continue to promote very slim body types as the ideal. Although these standards often appear in entertainment and online culture, they do not represent the full range of healthy bodies.
Increasingly, doctors, therapists, and content creators call for more realistic and diverse body representation. They stress that health includes both physical and mental well-being.
When public trends encourage constant measurement and comparison, they risk harming both.
Conclusion
The toilet paper challenge may generate views and comments, but it does not measure beauty, health, or value. It reflects how easily social media can turn bodies into competitions.
Instead of chasing several sheets, focus on habits that support long-term health. Seek balance, strength, and self-respect. Most importantly, remember that no viral trend can define your worth.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 23 February 2026
- 13:00
