In "Hunger," Roxane Gay reflects on her return to school and the notable shift in how her classmates interacted with her after her weight loss. She experienced admiration and received compliments from those around her, which suggested that her new appearance had changed her social standing and acceptance among peers. This realization highlighted the societal value placed on thinness and attractiveness.

Gay's experience underscores a deeper commentary on body image and societal expectations, revealing that weight loss can transform one's social interactions significantly. She emphasizes that this change in perception emphasizes thinness as a form of social currency, illustrating the complexities of identity, self-worth, and acceptance based on physical appearance.