In her memoir "Hunger," Roxane Gay discusses the societal value placed on weight loss and thinness, highlighting how these ideals function as a form of social currency. She reflects on her own experiences with body image and the pressures women face to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty. Gay's candid exploration of her struggles reveals the deep emotional and psychological impacts of living in a culture that equates thinness with worth.

Gay's insight suggests that the pursuit of thinness goes beyond personal health or aesthetics; it's intertwined with social acceptance and status. She contemplates the implications of this mindset, questioning how it shapes identity and self-esteem. Through her narrative, Gay encourages readers to consider the broader consequences of associating body size with value and the importance of embracing diverse bodies beyond societal expectations.