Let’s just say it: in Nigeria, if you’re slim, everyone assumes you’re healthy. They clap for you. They call you “lepa goals.” They say, “At least you’re not fat.” Meanwhile, you’re panting after two flights of stairs, living on bread and Pepsi, and your skin glows only because of ring light and prayer.

It’s wild.
Some of the “slimmest” people you know are tired, always sick, stressed, bloated, constipated, and running on vibes and Indomie. But because they fit the cultural aesthetic, nobody checks what’s actually happening inside.

And if you do start caring about your health, your auntie will ask, “Why are you exercising? You’re not fat.”

That mindset? It’s trapping people.

❗ The Real Problem

Nigeria celebrates size, not health.

People equate “small body” with “fit body.”
So they skip balanced nutrition.
They eat once a day.
They live on carbs and vibes.
They brag about not eating much — meanwhile their muscles are disappearing and their gut is inflamed.

No strength.
No stamina.
No nutrients.
Just lepa bragging rights.

And low-key? Some people fear gaining any weight because society will drag them like they stole meat from the pot.

So instead of building health, they chase aesthetics, skinny arms, flat stomach, but zero functional energy.

The Fix: Build Health, Not Just “Slimness”

1. Prioritize real food
Not just noodles and bread. Eat protein. Eat fiber. Eat fruits. Eat meals with life in them.

2. Move your body with intention
Ten thousand steps. Home workouts. Strength training. Not just “being slim by accident.”

3. Check your numbers
Blood pressure. Blood sugar. Cholesterol. Don’t wait for headaches and “body dey do me somehow.”

New rule:
If your body can’t carry you through your day without crashing, you’re not healthy — slim or not.

The Science Behind It

Research shows that metabolically unhealthy normal-weight (MUNW) individuals — people who are slim but have poor metabolic markers — face the same risk of heart disease, diabetes, and premature death as people with obesity.¹
Low muscle mass, nutrient-poor diets, and chronic stress increase inflammation, impair insulin sensitivity, and weaken the immune system. Thin isn’t immunity. Slim isn’t fitness. Health is built by nutrient-dense food, muscle strength, sleep, and controlled inflammation — not just aesthetics.

Muscle is protective. Balance is medicine. Vanity doesn’t fight disease — habits do.

Real Talk

Look, nobody is asking you to become a gym influencer or live on grilled chicken and oats. We’re saying don’t let the praise for being slim fool you into neglecting your health.

You deserve stamina.
You deserve a body that works, not just looks small.
You deserve strength, longevity, and energy — not gas and dizziness after skipping meals.

Being slim isn’t the goal.
Feeling alive is.

Your future self will thank you for choosing health, not applause.