In our media-driven world, bodies are seen on social media sites, online advertisements, and billboards. Not only do we see bodies everywhere, but there also seems to be never-ending conversations about them as well. “What’s an ideal body? Should there be an ideal body? How do we love and respect our bodies? Why are we even talking about what bodies look like? Should we not be giving more attention to what our bodies can do?”
Body positivity and body neutrality are two movements that have arisen to try to address some of these questions. The body positivity movement emerged in response to the common belief that thin bodies are ideal2. It places emphasis on loving every shape and size of body3. The body neutrality movement arose in response to the body positivity movement in an effort to shift the focus from what bodies look like to what bodies can do4. Although seemingly conflicting, both movements still permeate today’s culture. How do we deal with these conflicting messages that so many of us receive? Is one perspective better than the other? Let’s discuss them both.
Research reveals that body positivity can be both helpful and harmful. One study showed an association between exposure to body positive content on Instagram® and improvements in positive mood and body satisfaction1. Another study found that body dissatisfaction decreased after viewing body positive posts3. However, research also suggests that body positivity may result in negative consequences related to self-objectification, the internalization of the view of self as an object1. The movement can also create pressure for individuals to feel good about their bodies and may be harmful if they do not2.
Research on the body neutrality movement also yields mixed results. One study showed an association between body neutrality and positive mood1. Another study suggests that body neutrality may be more accessible and provide a sense of liberation from societal demands compared to body positivity4. Nevertheless, this same study reports that neutrality may be difficult to adopt in our appearance-based society and may lead to apathy about one’s own body4. In addition, another study found that online exposure to body neutrality lowered positive affect3.
As specified above, both body positivity and body neutrality have benefits. Body positivity can increase body satisfaction, while body neutrality may aid in senses of liberation. Both are associated with increases in positive mood. While they both do have possible deficits, each movement offers helpful tools for fostering healthy relationships with our bodies. Ultimately, the choice between these perspectives depends on personal preferences and what best resonates with an individual’s experiences and emotional needs. These two movements together offer diverse ways to navigate body image in our aesthetics-obsessed culture. Both can be helpful in answering, “how do we love and respect our bodies?”
Below are two resources that can be used to personally implement the body positivity and body neutrality approaches:
- Body positivity: https://www.govox.com/blog/practising-body-/
- Body neutrality: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/68LUGLUanZmP5mJS/
Resources:
- Cohen, R., Fardouly, J., Newton-John, T., & Slater, A. (2019). # BoPo on Instagram: An experimental investigation of the effects of viewing body positive content on young women’s mood and body image. New Media & Society, 21(7), 1546-1564.
- Cohen, R., Newton-John, T., & Slater, A. (2021). The case for body positivity on social media: Perspectives on current advances and future directions. Journal of health psychology, 26(13), 2365-2373.
- Ladwig, G., Tanck, J. A., Quittkat, H. L., & Vocks, S. (2024). Risks and benefits of social media trends: The influence of “fitspiration”,“body positivity”, and text-based “body neutrality” on body dissatisfaction and affect in women with and without eating disorders. Body Image, 50, 101749.
- Mulgrew, K. E., & Hinz, A. (2024). What is body neutrality and how is it different to existing body image concepts? An analysis of experts and general community responses. Body Image, 51, 101780.
By Trilla Teague
