Thinness has been emphasized as a predominant beauty ideal for many decades across the world. This background note shows how over the long-term corporate actors have tapped into centuries-old religious, racial and social constructs to diffuse thinness as a key aspect of global beauty ideals. The fashion, media, and weight-loss industries have emphasized to women the virtues of a slim figure and looking young as keys to attracting partners and even succeeding in their jobs. This has had enormous negative social and health costs, including the spread of eating disorders. Consumers, businesses and influencers have more recently challenged restrictive and stereotypical ideals. Body positivity movements and diverse representations have gained momentum. However, the continued overwhelming presence of hyper-thin women as fashion and beauty models suggests that the business of thinness remains as active and damaging as ever, while political shifts in the United States and elsewhere have created uncertainties about the likely future direction of social norms.