Summary

The body positivity movement is critically examined for its potential to overlook health concerns and promote an unrealistic standard of self-acceptance.

Abstract

The body positivity movement, while transformative for many, is scrutinized for its potential to inadvertently encourage "toxic positivity," where negative feelings about one's body are dismissed in favor of an exclusively positive outlook. This approach may ignore the complexities of mental health and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The movement's focus on self-love and acceptance is juxtaposed with the need to address health issues related to body weight, such as obesity, and the psychological impact of body distortion, including eating disorders and body dysmorphia. The article suggests that while accepting one's body is crucial, it should not come at the expense of neglecting health or necessary changes to improve well-being. It emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to body positivity that includes both self-acceptance and the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.

Opinions

The body positivity movement may inadvertently pressure individuals to always feel good about their bodies, disregarding the natural fluctuations in self-esteem and the reality of health issues.
There is a concern that the movement, as it is currently presented on social media, could be overwhelming and fail to address the individual's pace in building self-esteem.
The article posits that body positivity should not be used to justify unhealthy lifestyles or ignore the health risks associated with obesity.
It is argued that the movement should encourage a healthy balance, promoting both acceptance of one's body and the adoption of healthy behaviors.
The author, involved in cardiovascular disease research, expresses that accepting a body type that is unhealthy is controversial and that changes should be made when possible to improve health outcomes.
The article highlights that body image issues affect both men and women, with men also experiencing body distortion due to societal pressures, leading to conditions like vigorexia.
It is suggested that the body positivity movement is not a one-size-fits-all solution and that individuals should focus on loving their bodies while also working towards health improvements if necessary.
The author emphasizes the importance of mental health in relation to body image and advocates for professional help in cases of mental illness associated with body distortion.
The article concludes by urging society to refrain from making unsolicited comments about others' bodies, recognizing that each person's journey with their body is unique and personal.

Why the Body Positivity Movement Could Be Toxic

Body positivity focuses on looking good and overlooks promoting healthy activities

Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash

The movement of body positivity promotes loving every inch of our body without trying to fit into a mold imposed by society. While this movement has been (and continues to be) immensely necessary and transformative, it must be analyzed in depth.

The great brands that have joined this movement through marketing campaigns, the thousands of Instagram accounts that focus on the subject, the increasing tendency of diseases related to weight and body distortion, and the path that every woman and man have to walk in the search for self-esteem, are some of the issues that can be put on the table for questioning.

Many people may feel more than just “discontent” about their bodies and may be going through a more complex problem that involves much more than negative feelings about it

Toxic Body Positivity

The excess of positivity in social media is known as “toxic positivity”. Toxic positivity refers to the idea of focusing only on the positive aspects of life, while rejecting or dismissing negative emotions, which are part of our human nature. In this article I want to drive you through the concept toxic positivity applied to the movement of body positivity, which might be a bit controversial, but If anything, I want it to be insightful.

Social media and the body positivity movement can put some pressure on us by making us feel that we should always feel “good” about our bodies regardless of their state of health. While these kinds of feelings empower some, I believe that we need to learn to love ourselves at our own pace, we must learn to walk the path of self-esteem, and understand our mental needs. This sometimes goes with uncomfortable debates with ourselves, which is completely normal and OK.

The truth is that the days of struggle are valid and we will not always feel comfortable and satisfied with ourselves. We can even have a lot of self-esteem and confidence, and still not feel comfortable with what we see in the mirror.

Sometimes I feel that there is a lot of propaganda, often driven by movement activists through social networks, and this can often be overwhelming for us. So, while it’s nice to have the concept of “body positivity” and break the social pressure to look a certain way, you have to take your time to build your self-esteem slowly and surely.

We have to learn to build a solid foundation of our self-love, through internal work. This, will allow us avoiding to crumble tomorrow because we have created an illusory security based on external factors.

Body Positivity and Health

The body positivity movement is based on the fact that all bodies are beautiful and that we must accept them all. Tall or short, obese or thin, big or small, etc.

However, if a body is svelte or obese, normally it has a direct relationship with the lifestyle we lead. As a general rule, a person who exercises, drinks water, and eats healthy will have a more athletic or slender physique. On the other hand, the person who eats junk food and lives a sedentary life will have a body more prone to obesity and the health problems that go hand in hand with this disease (diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure).

In my opinion, as a person who is involved in cardiovascular disease research, this is the most controversial point in “body positive movement”. Those who support this movement say that a body must be accepted regardless of its condition.

Now, if it is something that cannot be changed (such as race or height), it is good that it is accepted as it is. But why should we accept a body type that may not be healthy? Why not change what can be changed?

Confirming that an obese body is not right nor healthy, does not mean that we should go to the other extreme losing weight recklessly, or thinking that because you are slim you are automatically healthy. I believe today´s society is well aware of men and women suffering from body distortion due to social pressure. Thus, while women tend to suffer from anorexia, men suffer more frequently from the opposite picture: bigorexia, which makes them think they look weak, while they aspire to a perfect, strong, muscular, voluminous physique.

Alterations in body shape and low self-esteem are not just a female trait. Men are also sensitive to all socio-cultural changes through time. In the highly competitive society that surrounds us, where we introduced new values such as the cult of the body and the perfect image, men sometimes find a breeding ground for new pathologies related to the illusory search for physical perfection and total health, which evolves to vigorexia eventually.

Eating in adequate amounts and exercising in moderation is what would be best for most people.

There is a very fine line and a very big responsibility around body positivity and good health. The movement of body positivity should not glorify acceptance by ignoring the risk and consequences of obesity.

Kelly DeVos, a writer, and advocate of body positivity, has openly spoken about body positivity and her experience as an advocate of this movement in an article published in The New New York Times. In her opinion article, which I recommend you to read, she discusses how the movement has started and how many body-positive advocates are still struggling with the concept of “wanting to lose weight” since it is sometimes very closely related to fat-shaming.

Kelly, also stated in the interview that she believes that body positivity is a necessary and powerful movement, but it is incomplete, as it focuses too much on feeling good about how you look and overlooks promoting healthy activities to get a body that is not only accepted by you, but is strong and healthy enough to allow you to lead a full and healthy life. And I think this is key to understand the problems that can arise with movement.

In my opinion, the movement of body positivity is wonderful for those women and men who can experience it, but it is not for everyone. When obesity coexists, it is not as simple as “learning to embrace your body,” but rather learning to love your process. A process in which you can love your “imperfections” while seeking to change some of them for the sake of your health.

Mental health and perception of our body

Many people may feel more than just “discontent” about their bodies and may be going through a more complex problem that involves much more than negative feelings about it. Mental health and physical health are closely related.

Diseases such as anorexia, bulimia, morbid obesity, anxiety, depression, among others, are a clear example. That is why it is important to distinguish low self-esteem or insecurity from mental illness associated with body distortion.

Thus, strong messages and movements are overall positive for a collective purpose, but we must create awareness of how important it is to seek professional help for each particular case. Each person has a different story and different struggles to overcome.

Remarks

Beyond the collective movements, we must stop commenting on other people’s bodies. Comments like “you’re too thin”, “you’re too fat”, “you went a little overboard with the desserts”, “I would not wear that if I was your size”, should stop. We must try harder to empathize with the struggles of others, and try to avoid adding pressure or insecurities to people who we think we are somehow “helping”.

Many comments people make about your body are offensive. We need to keep in mind that the only one who has the right to comment on your body is you and your health professional if your life is at risk.