Katie Sturino Reveals the 'Toxic' Trend That Has Taken Body Image Work '12 Steps Back' in Media (Exclusive)

'The conversation was going in an amazing direction and then it took a hard left turn,' Katie Sturino tells PEOPLE exclusively of body inclusivity in the media

Katie Sturino believes there's still work that needs to be done when it comes to plus-size representation.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE about her partnership with Stitch Fix, the body-positive advocate spoke about the state of body image in the media today and the trajectory the conversation around inclusivity and acceptance has taken as of late.

Sturino, who uses her social media platform to promote self-confidence and encourage others to embrace their own bodies, has been advocating for body inclusivity in the fashion industry and acceptance in the media for nearly a decade.

One of the most successful ways Sturino started the conversation online is through her "Super Size the Look" series, where she styles celebrity-inspired outfits to show her followers anyone can dress like a star regardless of size.

She's captured the hearts and attention of celebrities, too, including Oprah Winfrey and Drew Barrymore. Most recently, she was reposted and praised by Blake Lively for her take on the actress' denim-on-denim ensemble.

Related: Katie Sturino Reacts to Blake Lively Reposting Her 'Super Size the Look' Outfit: 'I'm Very Flattered' (Exclusive)

Sturino is also an entrepreneur and founder of Megababe, a body care brand that sells products for every body. Additionally, she's a published author, who wrote Body Talk: How to Embrace Your Body and Start Living Your Best Life, and has her sights set on turning it into a movie, which she says is her "new life goal."

While reflecting on the work accomplished in the years since she started posting on social media in 2015, Sturino notes there is still plenty more that needs to be done when it comes to body image work.

"We have taken one step forward and 12 steps back when it comes to body image work in the media and on social," she explains. "The conversation was going in an amazing direction and then it took a hard left turn."

Related: Olympian Ilona Maher’s Message About Body Positivity to 9-Year-Old Fan Goes Viral (Exclusive)

Sturino says it's an important time "now more than ever" for scrollers on social media and traditional media to give themselves grace because of the excessive chatter around a blockbuster weight loss drug she "didn't want to say" by name.

In recent years, there has been a rise in various weight loss drugs, notably Ozempic, which is approved by the FDA for people with type 2 diabetes (and not necessarily for weight loss). Several stars have spoken about the dieting fad in recent years, including Kathy Bates, Rebel Wilson and Elon Musk.

Those who are "abusing that medication who don't necessarily need it for health purposes" is what Sturino described as "the most toxic" trend at the moment. "Essentially everyone in Hollywood has gone down a size."

Related: Heidi Klum Says Seeing 1 Body Type Online Is 'So Out of Date': 'Diversity Is Bigger Than Ever' (Exclusive)

This is frustrating for many to see, especially Sturino. "We were just kind of getting to a place where maybe people were getting a little bit more self-accepting and there was more body diversity on the screen."

"That feels like it's gone away," she adds. "It's like Housewives. Where is the plus-sized housewife? There are no plus-sized housewives."

Sturino adds that "we can't rely on the big systems." She explains, "The big systems are going to fail us here over and over until finally the little systems unite and we get that message pushed forward."

That's why, she says "people need to be reminded that no matter where you are in your journey, you're okay."

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