Social media went up in flames after the Kim Kardashian West posted an Instagram post and tweet promoting a Flat Tummy Co lollipop that suppresses your appetite.
Kim called the lollipop "unreal" and also added that the lollipop was a product of the Flat Tummy Company.
A post shared by Kim Kardashian West(@kimkardashian) on May 15, 2018 at 4:00pm PDT
The main issue social media users found was not with the product itself, but rather with the idea of promoting a product that suppresses appetite to users that may be influenced by the reality star's actions.
Her lollipop post caught the attention of a lot of people, especially users who work in the health industry, who slammed Kim for actively encouraging an unhealthy relationship with food.
Eating disorders are a very real issue for a lot of young people and to see Kim Kardashian actively encouraging her fans to develop an unhealthy relationship with food is terrifying and gravely concerning. pic.twitter.com/hhFYBbm8hL
— Dr. Liam Hackett (@DiageoLiam) May 16, 2018
wow i have lost all respect for Kim Kardashian. promoting appetite suppressants when it’s mental health awareness week?? there are so many people who battle or who have battled with an eating disorder and she is making not eating look like it is “trendy”. disgusting and selfish.
— letice day (@leticeyday) May 16, 2018
If you want an appetite suppressant, just eat food. That’s what it’s there for. Why are there endless articles, fake nutritionists, stupid fucking lollies & Kim Kardashian constantly telling us ways to suppress our appetite? STOP PATHOLOGISING HUNGER. Humans need to eat.
— Amy Abrahams (@Amy_Abrahams) May 16, 2018
How desperate are you for the money @KimKardashian? I refuse to believe that some tin-pot lollipop making company is paying you THAT MUCH that you lose all common sense to think about the message that this sends your fans and followers. It’s outrageously irresponsible. pic.twitter.com/0225RioSfl
— Vix Meldrew (@VixMeldrew) May 16, 2018
Kim Kardashian promoting appetite suppressants. Does she have absolutely no shame? This is incredibly damaging and dangerous. pic.twitter.com/thFTNoCjYA
— Em Sheldon (@emshelx) May 16, 2018
Anybody with a sizeable following online has a duty of care to their audience. @KimKardashian's promotion of 'Appetite Suppressing Lollipops' clearly shows that she favours her payday above the health and wellbeing of her impressionable audience.
— Dr. Liam Hackett (@DiageoLiam) May 16, 2018