Margot Robbie's post-baby body sparks online concern as unhealthy dieting trend tied to celebrity appearances

Margot Robbie's post-baby figure on the red carpet has become the focus of an online conversation about weight loss, prompting concerns that some women are chasing unhealthy extremes after watching the actress promote her latest romance film. Robbie welcomed a son with husband Tom Ackerley in October 2024 and has since appeared in public in form-fitting gowns, drawing praise for her post-partum body but also scrutiny from social-media users.

A troubling online trend has emerged where women post videos of their meals after viewing Robbie on the red carpet, only to reveal later that they are consuming ice or air as a purported calorie-free option. The pattern has circulated without Robbie's knowledge and has been highlighted by Love Lucy Claire, a South African content creator who uses Instagram to warn followers about the dangers of restrictive eating.

Claire's post shows a contrasting take: rather than restricting to ice or air, she shared a plate of rice and beef stew described as eight months post-partum. She explained that the behavior mischaracterizes how someone can get into shape and stressed that restrictive eating can trigger cycles of hunger and restriction, inflammation and reduced energy, undermining the body's ability to train and recover. The message she conveyed emphasizes that restricting calories does not serve long-term health and that recovery from disordered eating is possible, albeit challenging, with nourishment and vitality at the forefront.

She warned that severe restriction can sap motivation and lead to anxiety and depression, making it harder to engage in daily activities or celebrate moments with loved ones. The overarching point is that recovery from an eating-disorder pattern is painful but achievable, and that nourishing the body with adequate protein, carbohydrates and fats supports health, energy and resilience.

Health advocates say the online trend reflects a broader risk in social-media culture, where celebrity bodies are used as benchmarks and young followers may imitate extreme dieting in hopes of quick results. The conversation also underscores the importance of media literacy and responsible discussions around body image in the Culture & Entertainment space.

For those affected, resources are available: The Butterfly Foundation in Australia offers support for eating-disorder concerns at 1800 33 4673, and in emergencies call 000.

The reporting around Robbie's red-carpet appearances and the subsequent trend has been carried in outlets such as Daily Mail, which described the posts and the influencer's response to the trend. While Robbie's team has not publicly commented on the trend, experts say it highlights the ongoing pressure on women to meet idealized standards after childbirth and the potential harms of chasing appearance-based quick fixes.