“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” This common quote is often recited in the world of body image. However, acceptance of all body types has become more prominent in today’s society. Body positivity is defined as the idea that all individuals should have a positive body image regardless of what a culture perceives as ideal size, shape or appearance.
Still, there are two sides to every argument. While there are many supporters of body positivity, there are a handful of individuals who believe body positivity causes more harm than good. Opponents of the body positivity movement argue that such advocacy is excusing obesity and promoting an unhealthy lifestyle. In greater detail, the term is glorifying obesity, which is known as celebrating obesity through social media encouragement and art.
Shannon Burke, a junior nursing major, shares she does not believe body positivity promotes obesity.
“This can be a hard one to argue, and I think there can be two sides to every story, but I do not believe it solely promotes obesity. The purpose behind body positivity is about promoting self-acceptance and respect for all body types,” Burke said. “You can still practice loving yourself while wanting to make changes to your health habits. At the end of the day, body positivity is not about discouraging wellness or promoting obesity, but more so emphasizing love and respect for all body types.”
In the United States, 30.7% of adults are overweight and 42.4% are obese, according to The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Yet, it is often overlooked as to what causes such statistics. The National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute says that the top
reasons for obesity in the U.S. include lack of physical activity, stress, poor eating habits and genetics.
Without proper analysis, it is easy for one to assume that obesity is the fault of that individual and that individual only. However, society makes it extremely difficult for people to live a healthy lifestyle. For one, nutritious meals cost much more than high-calorie foods. Studies show that healthy foods cost nearly twice as much compared to junk foods. This makes it very hard for individuals of differing incomes to afford such food options.
Additionally, not everyone has the time to get adequate exercise throughout their day. In recent years, the price of goods has increased. This means that in order to live comfortably, people have to make a certain salary. In U.S. cities, one must make at least $96,500, before taxes, to afford housing, groceries and transportation. In the majority of states in America, this salary falls in the middle class category. However, only 50% of the U.S. population identifies as middle class, and nearly 30% identify as lower class, according to the Pew Research Center. Taking all of this information into consideration, not everyone has the opportunity to exercise because not everyone can afford to. Millions of people have to work extended hours to afford living in the United States. Moreover, such vigorous working hours hinder a person’s ability to gain a substantial amount of exercise.
Back to the Body Positivity Movement, does it promote obesity? The simple answer is no. The movement is used to make individuals feel more comfortable within themselves. Society inserts the idea that individuals should have a specific body type through magazines and the media. However, such stereotypical body types are hard to achieve in today’s world. The constant reminders that only certain body types are beautiful negatively impact mental health. According to the National Institute of Medicine, society’s view of body image can cause low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
“I think body positivity is important because social media has really impacted the way young girls and women feel about their bodies. Body positivity can help chip away from the negatives that entail diet culture and can encourage women to be more confident in their bodies,” Burke agrees. “It advocates for people to love their bodies as they are and embrace themselves no matter size, shape, scars, disabilities, etc.”
Our world is filled with a great deal of division and hate. The Body Positivity Movement is one way to aid inclusion and bring individuals together. Rather than hate those who look different, we should appreciate our individual differences. At the end of the day, we are all human and are beautiful just the way we are.
