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A group of body-positive activists, eating disorder survivors and some bloggers are saying that weight gain has lead them to have a happier, healthier life. Their message is that people do not need to lose weight to be cool.

In United States, 20 million women and 10 million men are suffering from eating disorders and body image issues like anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating disorder. Some individual are reported to have unrealistic standards and thinks that there is only one body type that is considered beautiful.

The hashtag #GainingWeightIsCool is being used by activists and eating disorder survivors to drive home the message that not all weight gain is bad for health. Gaining muscle means gaining weight as well since muscle tissue weighs more than fat. As one adds more lean muscles, he will also gain more weight.

Arianna Dantone, a Texas trainer, kicked off the popular #GainingWeightIsCool hashtag. She advocates to love oneself at all stages and to appreciate one's body for what it can do rather than what it looks like.

Megan Jayne Crabbe, a blogger who has suffered anorexia, said that gaining weight meant gaining life. Every day, people get messages that there is a need to lose weight and they become scared at the slightest sign of weight gain.

After gaining 28 pounds, Emily Skye, a fitness celebrity, realized she is becoming a stronger and healthier person. In 2008, when she just weighed 100 pounds, she was feeling unhealthy and unhappy and depressed as she continuously starved herself.

Mental health experts also believed in the positive influence of the #GainingWeightIsCool hashtag. Alyssa Mass, a marriage and family therapist who specializes in eating disorders in Los Angeles said that the value and power of the popular hashtag cannot be overstated. It drives home the message that a healthy weight gain can still lead to a happier and healthier life.