International No Diet Day is observed every year on May 6 to celebrate your natural body type and ditch restrictive diets. The day aims to encourage people to follow a healthy lifestyle irrespective of their body type and shape and raise awareness about the dangers of dieting. A blue ribbon is used as a symbol for the day which celebrates body diversity and acceptance.
In 1992, English feminist Mary Evans Young started International No Diet Day with the aim of helping people around the world to accept their natural body type. Evans was a victim of anorexia (an eating disorder), body image issues, and bullying. In 1992, a handful of UK women celebrated the day with “Ditch That Diet” stickers. By 1993, it started spreading worldwide.
The day had been established with the purpose of helping both men and women to tackle difficult issues associated with body awareness and dieting. It aims at educating people about the side effects of unhealthy dieting and teaches them how to diet responsibly. It also urges people to take a cheat day once a week from all their diets and acknowledge body diversity.
