Mike Tyson's Super Bowl Ad Criticized for Fat-Shaming Messaging

Health experts say the ad oversimplifies a complex issue and uses harmful language that can contribute to disordered eating.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A Super Bowl commercial featuring former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has drawn criticism from health experts for its fat-shaming messaging. The 30-second ad, funded by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Center, features Tyson recounting his sister's death at 25, which he attributes to obesity. The ad uses charged language, describing Tyson as "fat and nasty" and referring to overweight Americans as "fudgy." Eating disorder specialists say the ad reflects a broader pattern in modern health messaging that leans on shame and risks reinforcing harmful narratives about bodies and food.

Why it matters

The ad's messaging oversimplifies a complex issue and can contribute to the epidemic of disordered eating in the country. Experts say demonizing processed foods and framing health as solely the result of personal food choices reinforces stigma rather than supporting sustainable, inclusive health. The ad's use of shaming language is also concerning, as research shows that weight stigma is associated with poorer mental and physical health outcomes.

The details

The ad features Tyson recounting his sister's death at 25, which he attributes to obesity. Tyson also describes his own struggles with extreme eating, including consuming a quart of ice cream every half hour. Health experts say the ad blurs the distinction between processed foods and ultra-processed foods (UPFs), turning a nuanced category into a sweeping warning. While some research has linked diets high in UPFs to health concerns, eating disorder specialists say the conversation becomes more complicated when entire categories of food are framed as inherently dangerous.

  • The Super Bowl commercial aired on February 10, 2026.

The players

Mike Tyson

A former heavyweight champion who is featured in the controversial Super Bowl ad.

Marissa Karp

A registered dietitian and the founder of MPM Nutrition, based in New York.

Jennifer Rollin

An eating disorder therapist and founder of the Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland.

Lauren Muhlheim

A licensed psychologist and owner of Eating Disorder Therapy LA.

Jessi Kneeland

A body neutrality coach and author.

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What they’re saying

“As a dietitian, the sentiment 'eat real food' resonates, but it oversimplifies a complex issue. Processing exists on a spectrum, and many processed foods like yogurt or pre-cut vegetables are nutritious and accessible.”

— Marissa Karp, Registered Dietitian and Founder of MPM Nutrition (huffpost.com)

“Fear-mongering around processed foods will certainly contribute to the epidemic of disordered eating and eating disorders that we are seeing in this country. Having a more flexible approach towards eating, eating foods that you enjoy, and eating food with friends, is far healthier than isolating alone in your food eating so-called 'clean foods.'”

— Jennifer Rollin, Eating Disorder Therapist and Founder of the Eating Disorder Center (huffpost.com)

“The language was extremely insulting and fat-shaming. I was really shocked when I heard it. It was potentially extremely harmful to many vulnerable people. Furthermore, research shows that shaming people does not lead to changing behaviors.”

— Lauren Muhlheim, Licensed Psychologist and Owner of Eating Disorder Therapy LA (huffpost.com)

“This reinforces the idea that in order to feel good and have a good life we must be thin, which encourages people to prioritize weight loss (or management) over everything, leading to disordered eating and body dysmorphia/obsession, and to make us feel insecure about any normal weight fluctuations that happen throughout our lives, because we're so afraid of ending up fat … and therefore miserable.”

— Jessi Kneeland, Body Neutrality Coach and Author (huffpost.com)

What’s next

The MAHA Center has not indicated any plans to address the criticism or modify the ad campaign.

The takeaway

This controversial Super Bowl ad highlights the broader issue of diet culture and the need for more nuanced, inclusive, and evidence-based messaging around health and nutrition. Experts warn that shaming language and oversimplified solutions can do more harm than good, particularly for vulnerable populations struggling with eating disorders and body image issues.