Body positivity is the belief that everyone deserves a good body image, regardless of how society and popular culture define ideal shape, size, or appearance.

The following are some of the goals of the body positivity movement:

1)Questioning society’s perceptions about the body

2)Advocating acceptance of all people’s bodies

3)Assisting people in developing self-esteem and acceptance of their own bodies

4)Confronting unattainable physical standards

Body positivity, on the other hand, is about more than just questioning how society views people based on their physical size and shape. It also acknowledges that race, gender, sexuality, and disability are frequently used to make judgments.

Body positivity also tries to educate people on how popular media themes influence people’s attitudes toward their bodies, including how they feel about food, exercise, clothing, health, identity, and self-care. People may be able to create a healthier and more realistic relationship with their bodies by better comprehending the impact of such forces.

HISTORY OF BODY POSITIVITY

Body positivity has its origins in the late 1960s fat acceptance movement. Fat acceptance aims to put an end to the culture of fat shaming and prejudice against those who are overweight or obese. The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance was founded in 1969 and is still working to change the way people talk about their weight.

When a psychologist and an individual who had undergone eating disorder treatment launched the website thebodypositive.org in 1996, the phrase “body positive” was coined. The site provides information and instructional materials to help people feel good about their bodies by shifting the focus away from dieting and exercising in unhealthy ways.

In its current form, the body positivity movement emerged around 2012, primarily focusing on opposing unrealistic feminine beauty standards. As the movement gained traction, the emphasis shifted from weight acceptance to the idea that “all bodies are beautiful.”

Despite the fact that body positivity is becoming more mainstream, many individuals are still unsure what it entails. One of the reasons why body positivity is so misunderstood is that there are so many diverse interpretations of what the movement entails.

REASON BEHIND BODY POSITIVITY

One of the main goals of body positivity is to address how body image affects mental health and well-being. People’s feelings about their appearance and even how they assess their self-worth are influenced by their body image. According to research, having a bad body image is linked to an increased risk of mental illnesses such as depression and eating disorders.

A person’s subjective perception of their own body—which may differ from how their body actually appears—is referred to as body image. Body image feelings, emotions, and actions can have a significant impact on your mental health and how you treat yourself.

The creation of one’s body image begins at a young age. Even small infants, however, can experience body dissatisfaction. More than half of girls and nearly a third of boys between the ages of 6 and 8 believed their ideal body weight was smaller than their present weight, according to a research published by Common Sense Media. The findings also found that 25% of children had tried some form of dieting activity.

While the concept of body positivity is meant to make people feel better about themselves, it is not without flaws and criticism.

One issue is the notion that body positivity entails people doing whatever they think they need to do in order to feel good about their appearance. Unfortunately, people are constantly assaulted with messaging implying that smaller, fitter people are happier, healthier, and more attractive.

Body positivity is meant to promote acceptance and love of one’s own body, yet it can be a struggle that adds to the pressure and unrealistic expectations. The idea of body positivity is that you should modify how you feel about yourself, yet it can also be seen as yet another demand.

SELF CARE IN IMPORTANT

Self-care can sometimes be misconstrued as a means of altering or controlling one’s looks, but it should instead focus on activities that make you feel good about the body you have now.

Respect yourself and your body. Consume nutritious foods to keep your mind and body in good shape. You should exercise because it makes you feel strong and energized, not to change or control your physique.

Remove profiles from your social media feeds that make you feel bad about yourself. You’re less likely to feel good about yourself if you’re continually comparing yourself to others.

Follow accounts that pique your curiosity and leave you feeling uplifted. Many Instagram accounts, in example, are solely dedicated to showcasing perfection or an idealized view of the body.

While it may be difficult, improving the portrayal of all body types in popular media may aid in the fight against poor body image.