The recent conversation about fitness tests in U.S. schools has reignited a long-standing debate over the role of physical education and health standards in the educational system. President Donald Trump’s suggestion to bring back such tests has been met with mixed reactions, with some education experts arguing that mandatory fitness assessments could promote healthier lifestyles among students, while others worry about the potential for discrimination or overemphasis on physical achievement at the expense of academic development.
Meanwhile, the social media response to the American Eagle ad featuring Sydney Sweeney has also sparked a broader conversation about body image and the representation of diverse body types in advertising. Lizzo, an advocate for body positivity, took to social media to mock the ad, which portrays a very fit model in a way that some critics argue reinforces unrealistic beauty standards. Her comments have drawn both support and criticism, with some arguing that her critique is a necessary pushback against narrow beauty ideals, while others view her remarks as unnecessarily harsh.