Michelle Obama’s Weight Loss Sparks Concern — Is the Former First Lady Too Slim? (3 of 4)

What is of concern beyond her weight loss is the constant obsession that society has with women’s bodies. The speculation on Michelle’s body is not happening in a vacuum, but is merely a reflection of the way women are constantly expected to have it all together and have ideal bodies. This is especially true for women who are in the public eye or hold positions of power.

Beyond the obsession over all women’s bodies, Black women have had a particularly difficult time historically with racialized expectations and body politics. It has been well documented that Michelle’s physical appearance was chastised and criticized very harshly during her time as the first African American First Lady of the United States. This criticism has not been seen before or after with her predecessors or those who have come after her.

Whether or not Michelle’s weight loss is the result of aging, stress, or just a healthier lifestyle change, the viral conversation surrounding her image says less about her and more about American society as a whole and its persistent obsession with women’s bodies.

Meanwhile, Michelle continues to pursue initiatives and projects that reflect her values and her positive impact on the world around her. Her podcast focuses not on policy or political happenings, but on intimate dialogue between siblings about maneuvering life, identity, joy, and grief. Her brother Craig Robinson joins Michelle in these conversations that explore their childhood and, through it, the way they show up for each other in adulthood.