Fans of Joy-Anna Duggar has noticed that the “Counting On” star is looking quite different these days, particularly after losing weight. Her physical appearance has drawn mixed responses from the Duggars’ fans, including critics suggesting that Joy-Anna’s upcoming wedding is bringing a great deal of pressure on her.
A recent photo of Joy-Anna Duggar and her younger sister, Josie, was shared on the official Facebook page of the Duggar family. The image was taken during the Big Sandy Family Conference held in Texas; the event is known for bringing together Christian families for them to experience fellowship and take part in fun activities and food sharing.
Fans were quick to point out that Joy-Anna Duggar seemed to lose weight, suggesting that the 19-year-old reality TV star could be on a diet. “I couldn’t believe that was Joy!! She lost weight!! Wow. So beautiful!!!” one follower of the Duggar Family page commented.
“I didn’t even recognize Joy until I noticed Josie,” another Duggar fan wrote. “Wow Joy must have lost weight she looks so great.”
Although many fans of the Duggars shared positive words about Joy-Anna’s figure, some shared their concern about having to lose weight in an unhealthy manner. Other fans also suggested that Joy-Anna is feeling the pressure of trimming down her figure prior to her wedding, which her sister Jinger Duggar went through before she exchanged marriage vows with Jeremy Vuolo.
In an interview with People Magazine, Jeremy unveiled that he and Jinger did follow a pre-wedding diet. Some “Counting On” fans expressed their worries over the Duggars’ religious beliefs which may have caused the Duggar daughters to become overly committed to losing weight prior to their wedding. "Why it is important that the Duggar girls become underweight? It is not fair for the young ladies in the Gothard IBLP to be under so much pressure to be thin,” one fan commented.
The Institute in Basic Life Principles, or the IBLP, is known for being a religious organization strongly supported by the Duggars. The group has brought on a deep-rooted impact on the Duggar family’s rules and regulations on multiple aspects, including their fashion choices and food preparations. The Duggars have actively participated in previous IBLP events, such as the Big Sandy Family Conference.
Michelle Duggar opened up at one of the IBLP’s conferences years ago, sharing her tips for a happy life after marriage. She included a piece of advice that stated: “Let God and your husband know you care about your weight.”
“God is concerned about overeating and being over-weight,” her statement read. “Weight control requires consistent conformity to God’s principles of living.”
However, Michelle Duggar is familiar with the situation that being extremely conscious of one’s weight may result to unhealthy practices. The Duggar matriarch suffered an eating disorder during her teenage years. Opening up to People, Michelle thanked her husband, Jim Bob, for helping her cope with bulimia. When she feels the urge to vomit, she would call and speak with him instead.
“I found out that genetically I could put on weight easily, but with my activities, gymnastics and cheerleading, it was important for me not to. I would look around and compare myself to my friends, saying, ‘oh my, she’s so small,’ or ‘she has such skinny legs,'” Michelle revealed, drawing attention to her problems with body image.
These days, the Duggar matriarch uses Weight Watchers for maintaining the ideal weight, although she has not been the first member of the Duggar family to take on the program. In an episode of “19 Kids and Counting” aired in 2009, Jana was revealed to have been participating in Weight Watchers meetings for the past years. Jana was 19 years old when the “Duggars on a Diet” episode was filmed.
