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'Teen Mom 2' star Leah Messer faces body shamers

"Be you, && just love yourself!" the reality star encouraged fans in response.

By Annie Martin
Leah Messer's official cast photo for "Teen Mom 2." The reality star faced criticism after posting a new photo Sunday. Photo by MTV
Leah Messer's official cast photo for "Teen Mom 2." The reality star faced criticism after posting a new photo Sunday. Photo by MTV

ELKVIEW, W.Va., July 27 (UPI) -- Teen Mom 2 star Leah Messer is responding to criticism of her thin frame.

The 24-year-old reality star shared a body-positive message Tuesday after social media users criticized her appearance in a bikini photo.

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"Be you, && just love yourself!" she tweeted to her 1.27 million followers. "What a beautiful world we live in!"

Messer had posted a picture of herself in a pink two-piece Sunday on Instagram. Many remarked on the star's slim appearance, with some suggesting she is unhealthily thin.

"She needs some meat on her bones she doesn't look healthy," one person wrote in the comments.

"Way too skinny. There's a difference between being skinny and being able to see bones. Maybe start lifting weights?" another added.

Messer also responded to critics in a statement to Refinery 29. The reality star encouraged fans to focus on "more important issues going on in the world" than whether or not she had enough to eat.

"There is much more to women than our bodies," she asserted. "Yet many women seem to continually judge others, not by their character, but by their bodies."

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"We should be focused on spreading love and kindness instead of mean-spirited bullying," the star added. "So let's stop with the shaming, start supporting one another, and focus on what really matters."

Leah Messer (L) faced criticism after sharing this photo Sunday on Instagram. Photo by Leah Messer/Instagram

Messer came to fame on MTV's 16 & Pregnant and presently stars on Teen Mom 2. The reality star is mom to three daughters: 6-year-old twins Aleeah and Ali and 3-year-old Adalynn.

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