Body positivity is a very popular concept in society and social networks in recent years. Now, another expression referred to as body neutrality is also very popular. The term "body positivity" began to appear in the 1990s, by overweight activists, many of whom also belonged to other marginalized communities, such as black women, LGBTQ people. disabled people, etc. With the rise of mass media and social media in the late 2000s, the movement has now become well-known across the globe. The body neutral movement says that your appearance and weight are irrelevant with your worth as a human being.
Body image
The goal of both approaches (positivity and neutrality) is to help people cultivate a healthy body image and love themselves, regardless of their weight. Research confirms that a better body image is associated with a better overall quality of life for adults and adolescents. Adults with a positive body image appeared to typically have better self-esteem and less depression than those with a negative body image, and were less likely to engage in unhealthy eating behaviors.
Diet and weight loss culture
Many of us are either currently on a diet, or planning to start a diet in the near future. While being overweight has certainly been linked to health problems, achieving health isn't always the primary reason someone chooses to lose weight. The truth is that people diet for a variety of reasons. They may diet to achieve a beauty stereotype that is considered acceptable and attractive, or because we fear that others will judge us for our weight and diet.
Neither of these fears is a good reason to diet. The decision to diet should be based on self-love and self-care, not fear of others. Loving yourself enough to get fitter, have better health markers, be more agile, or increase your life expectancy are noble goals for paying attention to the quality and quantity of one's life.
In conclusion, living a life rich in experiences and physical well-being is about much more than how we look. Let's appreciate ourselves, our uniqueness and our bodies!