Body positivity is a movement to accept bodies of all sizes and types, rather than those that conform to societal ideals of beauty. It emphasizes self-acceptance, inner worth, and appreciation for a body’s abilities.
Body Positivity: Concepts and Critiques
The body positivity movement grew out of the fat acceptance movement of the 1960s. The fat acceptance movement was created by Black and queer women to fight the discrimination and shame they faced due to their weight. Body positivity emerged from these roots. The movement champions acceptance and love for all types of bodies. It challenges cultural ideals of beauty and societal perceptions and expectations around the body. It calls attention to unhelpful or harmful messages people may have received about their bodies from individuals, media, or society. And it promotes a healthy relationship with the body through awareness and acceptance.
Despite its origins, one critique of the body positivity movement today is its lack of inclusivity; marginalized bodies are rarely centered . On social media , for example, body positivity is often exemplified by thin white women with bodies that society deems socially acceptable. The bodies that are most marginalized then continue to be marginalized while the bodies that are privileged continue to take center stage.
There are several other critiques as well. One is that corporations and celebrities have trumpeted the movement through new products and campaigns, yet they often continue to promote a narrow framework of beauty. Another is that body positivity overemphasizes appearance compared to other elements of identity and experience. Yet another is that some people may not resonate with pressure to feel positive about their bodies or may take unhealthy steps in the name of feeling positive about their body.
People can become more body positive by identifying what their individual body needs in terms of hunger, fullness, movement, and rest. Through trial and error, they can learn about their bodies, and be kind to themselves if they make mistakes along the way.
Body Image and Mental Health
The body positivity movement underscores the challenges people face regarding body image and cultural attitudes. Addressing these challenges is important because negative body image can harm self-esteem , well-being, and mental health. In some cases, negative body image may contribute to disorders such as body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders, anxiety , or depression .
Eating disorders involve a persistent disturbance of eat& shy ;ing that changes the consumption or absorption of food so that it significantly impairs the person’s physical health and or psychological functioning. Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge- eating disorder , pica, rumination disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. (For more, see Eating Disorders. )
Body dysmorphic disorder involves a preoccupation with perceived defects or flaws in one’s physical appearance. The person believes that these flaws make them look unattractive or abnormal, yet they are extremely minor or completely unnoticeable to others. The person may perform repetitive behaviors, such as constantly monitoring their flaw in the mirror, and the preoccupation causes significant distress. (For more, see Body Dysmorphic Disorder. )
Research suggests that body dysmorphia affects somewhere between 0.07 and 2.3 percent of the general population. But many people experience negative body image at times that don’t rise to the severity of a disorder.
Explore More About Body Positivity
For a comprehensive understanding of body positivity, read our complete guide: