<p>Pinterest on Thursday banned weight loss ads, calling it a move against "body shaming" and protecting mental health on online platforms.</p>.<p>The popular online bulletin board said that it will not allow ads containing testimonials about losing weight; references to body mass indexes, or that "idealize or denigrate" certain body types.</p>.<p>"Across the country, people of all ages are facing challenges related to body image and mental health, particularly as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic and kick-off the summer season," Pinterest said in a post.</p>.<p>"We're empowering Pinners to plan for a summer without weight loss ads, so they can focus on what matters most."</p>.<p>Pinterest claimed to be the first major online platform to prohibit all weight-loss ads, saying it is an expansion of policies barring body shaming in advertisements.</p>.<p>The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) nonprofit in the United States praised Pinterest's move.</p>.<p>"NEDA is encouraged by this necessary step in prioritizing the mental health and well-being of Pinners, especially those impacted by diet culture, body shaming, and eating disorders," association chief executive Elizabeth Thompson said in a release.</p>.<p>"We are hopeful this global policy will encourage other organizations and companies to reflect on potentially harmful ad messages and to establish their own working policies that will create meaningful change."</p>.<p>Pinterest had previously banned ads for weight loss pills as well as procedures such as liposuction, along with imagery or language mocking body types.</p>.<p>San Francisco-based Pinterest in April reported that the number of people using it each month around the world grew to more than 478 million in the first quarter of this year.</p>.<p>Pinterest, launched in 2010, is a virtual bulletin board platform, with users decorating their boards with pictures showcasing interests including food, fashion, travel and lifestyle.</p>.<p>It also enables users to link to online shopping and other services to find items they have "pinned."</p>
<p>Pinterest on Thursday banned weight loss ads, calling it a move against "body shaming" and protecting mental health on online platforms.</p>.<p>The popular online bulletin board said that it will not allow ads containing testimonials about losing weight; references to body mass indexes, or that "idealize or denigrate" certain body types.</p>.<p>"Across the country, people of all ages are facing challenges related to body image and mental health, particularly as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic and kick-off the summer season," Pinterest said in a post.</p>.<p>"We're empowering Pinners to plan for a summer without weight loss ads, so they can focus on what matters most."</p>.<p>Pinterest claimed to be the first major online platform to prohibit all weight-loss ads, saying it is an expansion of policies barring body shaming in advertisements.</p>.<p>The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) nonprofit in the United States praised Pinterest's move.</p>.<p>"NEDA is encouraged by this necessary step in prioritizing the mental health and well-being of Pinners, especially those impacted by diet culture, body shaming, and eating disorders," association chief executive Elizabeth Thompson said in a release.</p>.<p>"We are hopeful this global policy will encourage other organizations and companies to reflect on potentially harmful ad messages and to establish their own working policies that will create meaningful change."</p>.<p>Pinterest had previously banned ads for weight loss pills as well as procedures such as liposuction, along with imagery or language mocking body types.</p>.<p>San Francisco-based Pinterest in April reported that the number of people using it each month around the world grew to more than 478 million in the first quarter of this year.</p>.<p>Pinterest, launched in 2010, is a virtual bulletin board platform, with users decorating their boards with pictures showcasing interests including food, fashion, travel and lifestyle.</p>.<p>It also enables users to link to online shopping and other services to find items they have "pinned."</p>