Living happily ever after? the hidden health risks of Disney princesses

van Dijk SHB; Bui M; Eijkelboom AH

doi:10.1530/ey.22.12.16

12.16

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ESPE Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology (2025) 22 12.16 | DOI: 10.1530/ey.22.12.16

ESPEYB25 12. Type 2 Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Lipid Metabolism Lipid Metabolism (6 abstracts)

12.16. Living happily ever after? the hidden health risks of Disney princesses

van Dijk SHB , Bui M & Eijkelboom AH

BMJ. 2024 Dec 16;387:q2497. doi: 10.1136/bmj.q2497

Brief Summary: This article examines the health profiles of Disney princesses and assesses do they truly "live happily ever after"? It offers a unique perspective on the long-term health implications of their portrayed lifestyles.

Comment: Published in the Christmas edition of the BMJ, this article critically reviews the potential health risks associated with the lifestyles of Disney princesses. For example, Snow White’s prolonged social isolation—a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease, depression, and all-cause mortality—raises concerns about her long-term well-being. Aurora, or Sleeping Beauty, faces a different threat: the health risks of excessive sleep. Prolonged sleep duration has been linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity, and T2D. Don’t miss the discussion on the potential comorbidities affecting the other princesses.