Jazz Jennings has sent some mixed messages about body image and weight gain
On one hand, the 21-year-old reality star says it’s time to lose the extra weight. But Jennings also claimed to feel, “beautiful at every shape and size.” The one thing that’s not up for discussion is the catalyst for the star’s drastic change in appearance.
Even though Jennings started gaining weight right after undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2018, the “I Am Jazz” lead says gaining weight happened because of “mental health issues” that have nothing to do with the surgery.
“People were making assumptions that my mental health issues and my mental health decline had to do with my surgery and it’s a whole thing that we explore and talk about,” Jennings told Today, according to Daily Mail.
“It’s really important that people realize that yes, I do have mental health issues,” the reality star continued. “No, it has nothing to do with me being transgender or my transition.”
Instead, the “I Am Jazz” star blamed a binge-eating disorder and medication for weight gain.
Jennings shared on Instagram the following message for fans:
As many of you have noticed, over the past few years, I have gained a substantial amount of weight. I suffer from binge-eating disorder, a disease in which I’m not only addicted to food, but I eat it in large quantities. My binging, along with an increased appetite I experience from some of the meds I’m on, has caused me to gain almost 100 pounds in a little less than 2 years.
I’m posting this photo because it’s time for me to address my weight gain and hold myself accountable. I’m ready to change my ways; I’ve been saying I’m ready to turn over a new leaf, but I’m running out of trees now.
I’m ready to take the initiative and create positive changes when it comes to my health and body. I have a fabulous team supporting me, both professionals and family/friends, but at the end of the day, I have to be the one committed toward bettering myself.
I know I have the power in me to lose the weight, and I intend on sharing my progress with all of you. Love you all, and thanks for understanding the battle I’m fighting to win.
Trailers for the new season of “I Am Jazz” show the reality star attempting to eat healthier and lose weight with the help of family, who Jennings accuses of “fat-shaming.”
Clips from new episodes show Jennings stepping onto a bathroom scale, which reads 234 lbs. “Having all this extra weight, I can’t do so many things with my body that I used to be able to do,” the reality star admits.
Later, Jennings admits that a typical breakfast could be, “fast food, maybe a donut or two and then maybe two bagels.”
At the same time, Jennings says bodies can be beautiful at any size. “I honestly feel beautiful at every shape and size. Like, I love my body the way it is,” the “I Am Jazz” star said at an LGBTQ mixer when asked about body positivity.
“But I will say, I am trying to lose weight for health reasons. I have to feel good too, and I don’t feel good with some of the foods that I have been eating. So I have been working on this weight loss so I could be healthier and just more me.”