New Viral Belly Button Challenge Could Pose Health Risks

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A fad fueled by the Internet may be cause for concern.

Young people around the world are contorting their bodies to get one arm around their backs and their hand over their belly buttons.

As CBS2's Dave Carlin reported, super fit personal trainer Gabby Dunkley is not a fan of the Belly Button Challenge that has taken over social media.

The millions of online photos and videos feature mostly young, slim women and girls.

"It's a form of contortion," said Dunkley.

Despite her daily stretching and working out, Dunkley is unable to do it. And she's not the least bit disappointed.

But doctors fear others are taking what they call a silly challenge too seriously.

"I'm concerned that crazes like this send a very negative message to people who may think they are overweight, and they're not," said Dr. Len Horovitz, internist at Lenox Hill Hospital.

Dr. Horovitz said it could be risky for some people to even try.

"You could definitely injure your rotator cuff just trying to get your hand around your waist," he said. "Skeletal structure plays a roll. If your rib cage is a little bit wide, you just can't do this. It's not physically possible."

"Just because you can't do it doesn't mean you should body shame and go on a diet," said Dunkley.

Dunkley's sister Liv, a dancer, is long-armed and extraordinarily limber, and so she makes it work.

"It doesn't prove how fit you are," Liv added. "I don't think it should count for anything."

While it appears to be a global sensation for now, those who spoke with Carlin Thursday said they don't believe we'll have to stomach the Belly Button Challenge much longer.

"I think it's a little stupid," said Liv.

"It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, it matters what you have on the inside," said Diony Rodriguez, of Kingsbridge.

Many hope they can soon say "it's a wrap" and wave goodbye to a twisted trend, Carlin reported.

The Belly Button Challenge originated in China on a website that is known as the Chinese equivalent of Twitter.