She is known for promoting body confidence and self-love to her legions of social media followers.
And Malin Andersson shared an image of her stomach on Instagram after a ‘heavy weekend of partying’ as she discussed her struggles with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
The former Love Island star, 26, donned a grey crop top and matching tracksuit bottoms in the snap as she discussed bloating and the long-term effects of having used laxatives as a teenager to make herself thinner.
Honest: Malin Andersson shared an image of her stomach after a ‘heavy weekend of partying’ as she discussed her struggles with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Alongside the photo, Malin wrote: ‘IBS. A physical condition many people suffer with. IBS is a long-term condition of the digestive system which can be painful and difficult to live with if you don’t have your symptoms under control.
‘The most common symptoms are stomach pains, cramping, bloatedness and diarrhoea. It can be very uncomfortable and make you anxious about going about your day to day life.’
Malin said she developed the condition as a teen and now struggles to eat gluten and other types of food that cause flare ups.
She said: ‘I developed IBS in my teenage years, after struggling with my self image I abused laxatives to empty out my body. I remember waking up each day with awful cramps and having to go toilet just so I could ‘look and feel skinnier’.
Body image: The former Love Island star, 26, discussed bloating and the long-term effects of having used laxatives as a teenager to make herself thinner
‘I now suffer in my adult life and struggle to eat gluten and other types of food that make my tummy sensitive.
‘IBS is an untreatable condition however in my day to day life I’ve learned to handle it and keep it under control. I now avoid my flare ups, and know what diet works for me to keep my tummy at ease.
‘Stress has a lot to do with it, when I keep my mind calm, limit stress, eat well, exercise and stay positive I rarely have flare ups.
‘This pic is of me right now, after a heavy weekend of partying and hanging yesterday eating pizza lol (the result is a sensitive stomach today!)
‘Please remember, being bloated is completely normal – obviously I’m not a doctor but please contact your GP if you’re worried at all.
‘We are human, we are all different, don’t compare yourself to anyone but you.’
Malin wrote: ‘I remember waking up each day with awful cramps and having to go toilet just so I could ‘look and feel skinnier’
The TV personality frequently uses her Instagram to promote body positivity and female empowerment, as well as sharing how she has taken control of her life following an incredibly tough time.
Malin has recently spoken out about the physical abuse she endured at the hands of her ex-boyfriend Tom Kemp.
She is convinced that the abuse contributed towards the tragic death of her one-month-old daughter Consy, who was born seven weeks premature in December 2018.
The former Love Islander revealed that Tom, 29, ‘slapped and punched’ her while she was six months pregnant, which she believes impacted her child’s health.
Malin had to undergo an emergency cesarean as her daughter suffered from an irregular heartbeat and reduced movement.
Consy was treated in intensive care at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital but sadly passed away at just four weeks old in January 2019.
Tragic: Malin’s daughter Consy was born seven weeks premature in December 2018 and was treated at London’s Great Ormond Street hospital, but sadly passed away in January 2019
Speaking about the abuse, Malin told The Sun: ‘When Tom threw me about, I’d tense my stomach so much, I could feel her pausing inside me. The doctors didn’t understand what happened to her, but I know in my heart.
‘The emotional abuse was always worse. It would be: “Urgh, you’re so fat… oh no, you’re beautiful, I’m joking”. He’d call me a “s**g, a fat b****h’ and a w***e” and he’d spit at me and spray deodorant at me.’
Malin wrestles with PTSD after the abusive relationship left her mental health and self-esteem in tatters.
She said that while Kemp has shown no remorse, she envisions herself forgiving him when she meditates, adding that she feels sorry for him and hopes that he gets help.
Kemp was jailed by a Aylesbury Crown Court judge for 10 months in September after he admitted to assaulting Malin.
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247 or The Lullaby Trust on 0808 802 6868.
Horrifying: Malin said her ex Tom Kemp abused her physically and mentally throughout their relationship which she believes impacted her daughter’s health (pictured together in February 2019)