Body Neutrality and Body Positivity

The body positivity movement has been very present on social media within the last decade with many supporters expressing the importance of body positivity loudly and boldly. Some notable public figures who have been supporters of the body positivity movement include celebrities like Demi Lovato, Sam Smith, Mindy Kaling, and Lizzo (Musick, 2023). These impactful people and many others believe in the core concept of the body positivity movement which is, “a social movement that advocates for the acceptance of all bodies, regardless of size, shape, skin tone, gender or physical abilities... The idea that beauty is constructed by society, and it should not determine someone’s self-worth or value” (2022). They often preach to love and accept all bodies, especially your own. According to Psychologist Dr. Susan Albers the body positivity movement is rooted in the fat rights movement of the 1960’s, which advocated for those that were mistreated in many environments due to their body size (2022). The modern-day body positivity movement often takes place online in people posting unedited photos of themselves to create visibility, normalization, and acceptance of all bodies along with positive affirmations of how people love their body as is.

The body neutrality movement differs from the body positivity movement in several ways. The body neutrality movement was developed in response to create a different way of viewing your body that is neither negative nor positive. The body neutrality movement can be defined as focusing on the body’s function and what it can do rather than its external appearance, also acknowledging that your body is only one part of who you are (2022). Many people have critiqued the body positivity movement as not accessible for everyone since people have reported that unconditionally loving your body and appearance can seem unrealistic because so many report being unhappy about them (2022). Dr. Susan Albers further explains the difference between the two movements, “The body-neutral approach leans toward the belief that it doesn’t matter if you think your body is beautiful or not. Your value is not tied to your body nor does your happiness depend on what you look like. A body-positive approach says you are beautiful no matter what. Period” (2022).

Neither one of these movements/approaches in viewing your body are right or wrong. It is whichever one that makes most sense for you and helps you get past some negative body image beliefs. A simple way to practice body positivity is focusing on positive thoughts and affirmations of your body to reframe or combat societal’s expectations of how a body should look and feel. Several simple ways to practice body neutrality are stop body checking, wearing clothes that fit your body, appreciating and expressing gratitude for what your body does for you, and engage in a form of movement that is not punishment for your body (Medaris et al., 2023).  

Jamie Lingenfelter, BSW, MSW, SWLC

References

Cleveland Clinic. (2022, April 21). What’s the Difference Between Body Positivity and Body Neutrality? Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/body-positivity-vs-body-neutrality

Medaris, A., Byrne, C., Vann, M. R., Lawler, M., Bedosky, L., Davidson, J. M., Migala, J., & Prager, S. (2023, December 23). 6 ways to practice body neutrality. EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/ways-to-practice-body-neutrality/

Musick, S. (2023, March 5). Body positive celebrities and their impactful examples. Eating Disorder Hope. https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/body-positive-celebrities-their-impact