Cosmopolitan Causes Controversy With Article About Cancer And Weight Loss

An article posted by Cosmopolitan magazine Monday caused controversy after social media users denounced it as glorifying cancer as a diet plan. Titled, “How This Woman Lost 44 Pounds Without *ANY* Exercise,” the article detailed a woman’s journey through “several life-threatening setbacks,” including cancer. A tweet from Cosmopolitan promoting the article boasted the same headline.

The article dealt with a woman’s cancer diagnosis, a damaged disc in her back and how her illnesses led her to purchase a 12-week diet plan program.

“Despite several life-threatening setbacks, she’s happier than ever at her healthiest weight yet,” said the article, written by fitness and health editor Elizabeth Narins.

Social media users who felt the article was insensitive and advocating cancer as a tool for weight loss were quick to screenshot the article and express dismay.

“Cancer is not a diet plan. Delete this,” a Twitter user wrote Tuesday, linking to the story.

Less than 30 minutes later, the Tweet from Cosmopolitan promoting the article had disappeared from the internet. The article remained available.

“hey @Cosmopolitan I have no idea where the hell you were going with this but I assume you’re going to hell,” one user wrote.

“So @Cosmopolitan advocates getting cancer as a method of weight loss. Cancer weight loss clickbait is my absolute fave. FFS,” another user tweeted.

Some users called for action at Cosmopolitan.

“Delete and review your practices. This should never have been published,” said one tweet.

Shortly after the tweet was deleted, Cosmopolitan changed the title of the article.

“A Serious Health Scare Helped Me Love My Body More Than Ever,” the headline now reads.

The article had been shared around 300 times before the title was altered. All other aspects of the article appeared to be unchanged.

It’s not the first time Cosmopolitan has caused controversy on social media. The magazine’s October 2015 cover featured the Kardashian clan, dubbing the ladies “America’s First Family.” Social media users were quick to voice their anger over the apparent snub of the actual first family, the Obamas.

At the time this article was written, the magazine did not issue a statement.