Disney princesses also get sick: The health risks of living ‘happily ever after’

Every fairy tale has a happy ending. However, it’s not written anywhere that this “happily ever after” necessarily means good health. An opinion piece published in the satirical Christmas issue of The BMJ delves into the potential health issues faced by iconic Disney princesses and warns that the habits and behaviors of the protagonists in these legendary stories could lead to serious health problems. For instance, Belle might be at risk of contracting rabies due to her close proximity to the Beast. Meanwhile, Cinderella, who is constantly cleaning and exposed to large amounts of dust, faces a high risk of developing occupational lung disease. The authors caution against these symbolic bad habits and call on Disney to “consider interventions to overcome these health challenges.”

The most iconic children’s stories have long been under scrutiny for perpetuating harmful stereotypes, such as impossible beauty standards, which can undermine the self-esteem of young girls who aspire to resemble their favorite princesses. But now, in a new and ironic twist to the analysis of these fairy tales, three Dutch scientists have focused on the health impact on the princesses themselves. “Disney princesses face serious real world health hazards,” the op-ed states. “Surprisingly, however, despite these risks they seem to live happily ever after.”

In reality, says Michael Bui, a researcher at the University of Twente in the Netherlands and co-author of this light-hearted satire, the ultimate goal of the article is to give readers “a good laugh to end 2024,” although the health concerns they analyze are grounded in scientific literature. Behind the sarcastic tone that runs throughout the piece, the authors review some of the most common health issues on the street — such as loneliness and social isolation — and highlight how social, work, and family contexts can contribute to the development of diseases.

However, Bui stresses that they were not trying to give readers a lesson. “While the health concerns we analyze are based on scientific literature, our interpretations of the princesses arise from exaggerated satirical analyzes of the events depicted in their stories, rather than truly dangerous behaviors,” he explains by email. “While some studies have formally investigated how depictions of unrealistic relationships and beauty standards in Disney films may negatively affect girls’ self-esteem, our work is purely satirical and should not be construed as criticism or a serious study raising genuine concerns about their influence on viewers.”

Getting into specifics, for example, the researchers suggest that, as a servant to her evil stepmother, Snow White’s “opportunities for social interaction are extremely limited,” which leaves her vulnerable to loneliness. The authors remind readers that a lack of social interaction is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, and mortality from all causes. Luckily, she eventually meets the seven dwarfs, who help her overcome the dangers of loneliness.

Jasmine, the princess of Aladdin, faces similar dangers. Locked in the palace, where she can only interact with the royal staff, the guards, and the princes who come to court her, Jasmine is also exposed to the risks of social isolation, the scientists warn: “Research shows that loneliness is associated with dementia, mental health problems (such as depression and anxiety), and dysregulation of the immune system.” The authors also point out that Aladdin’s pet tiger, Rajah, “poses a risk of zoonotic [transmitted by animals] infection,” and even a risk of “craniofacial and cervical spine injuries” because, although the animal appears domesticated, “its natural instincts could lead it to a dangerous and potentially fatal situation.”

As for Cinderella, who spends much of the story exposed to dust while performing cleaning duties for her stepmother, the authors believe she is at risk of developing occupational lung disease and even lung cancer. It doesn’t help, they add, that the fairy godmother sprinkles “massive quantities of magical glitter” to perform her spells and transform her into a princess. These glitter powders, the researchers claim, are “aluminum-coated microplastics,” substances that can penetrate lung tissue and contribute further to the development of lung damage. “Rather than a prince, Cinderella needs ongoing respiratory therapy to live happily ever after,” the scientists joke.

The authors also focus on the risks associated with Pocahontas’ tendency for daring leaps. The researchers calculated the height of her iconic cliff jump and warned that at such a distance from the water, the risk of clavicular compression and other traumatological injuries is high. “A repeat leap would show Pocahontas the monochromatic hues of her x-rays instead of the Colors of the Wind, with a symphony of fractures rather than a harmonious tune with nature,” they warn.

Meanwhile, Aurora from Sleeping Beauty is at risk due to her excessive sleep. The scientists note that too much sleep is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular problems, stroke, obesity, and diabetes. Prolonged bed rest is also associated with an increased risk of ulcers and muscle atrophy. The authors also point out that, although the prince breaks the sleep spell with a kiss, this gesture “breaks with current social norms by neglecting to obtain consent.”

The scientists also delve into the impact of the family and social pressures faced by Mulan, a warrior who saves the empire of China, especially when she is forced to defend her honor through an arranged marriage. “Women facing honor based violence may experience increased levels of mental ill health — such as in the form of anxiety from being forced into living a life they did not choose,” the researchers explain.

Another princess analyzed in the article is Rapunzel, the princess with the infinite braid. The abuse that the witch Gothel inflicts on the young girl’s hair — using it as an elevator to climb up to the tower where she is imprisoned — can damage the hair follicles due to excessive and repetitive pulling, potentially leading to traction alopecia, the scientists warn.

Even Belle, the protagonist of Beauty and the Beast, is not exempt from health risks. For one, she lives in a castle with a creature that has the head of a buffalo, the eyebrows of a gorilla, the tusks of a boar, the mane of a lion, the arms and body of a bear, and the legs and tail of a wolf. “The Beast is thus a chimera, an entity composed of cells of different organisms. Close contact with the Beast exposes Belle to many potentially life-threatening infectious diseases, such as brucellosis [a bacterial infection often acquired by eating raw, unpasteurized dairy products] or rabies,” the article warns. However, if she had chosen the Beast’s rival, the narcissistic Gaston, the impact on her mental health would likely have been far worse, the scientists admit: “Despite obvious risks the advice is: better the Beast you know.”

Given the potential illnesses facing fairy tale princesses, the article’s authors urge the film studio to address these dangers immediately. And, always with the same sarcasm that runs throughout the article, they offer suggestions: “Strategies to improve princesses’ wellbeing could include mindfulness and psychotherapy, training on cohabitation with animals, and personal protection measures against infectious agents and toxic particles. Only then can Disney princesses start living healthily ever after.”

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