Understanding Body Positivity and Body Neutrality: Embrace Your Body with Confidence
Discover the differences between body positivity and body neutrality, and explore how combining these approaches can foster greater self-acceptance and well-being.
Exploring the Concepts and Benefits of Both Approaches
Struggling to accept your body can trigger negative emotions and potentially contribute to eating disorders. Two empowering philosophies—body positivity and body neutrality—offer ways to embrace your body, imperfections included.
This article delves into the meaning and origins of both movements, highlighting how integrating them can promote a healthier relationship with your body and its capabilities.
Research shows that 83% of women and 74% of men experience dissatisfaction with their physical appearance at times, especially when facing mirrors, wearing swimwear, or shopping for clothes.
What Does Body Positivity Mean?
Body positivity is about cultivating a loving and affirmative attitude toward your physical self, regardless of shape, size, or appearance. It encourages embracing your body as it is, beyond societal ideals of perfection.
For instance, practicing body positivity might involve affirming, "I appreciate how my arms look in this outfit," or, "My tummy may not be flat, but it’s beautiful just the same."
What Is Body Neutrality?
Unlike body positivity, body neutrality focuses on accepting your body without necessarily loving its appearance. It shifts attention from looks to the body’s functionality and non-visual qualities.
An example includes acknowledging, "My body allows me to enjoy activities I love," or, "My body brought two wonderful children into the world." This approach values what your body does over how it looks.
The Evolution of Body Positivity and Body Neutrality
The Origins of Body Positivity
Emerging in the 1960s as a form of anti-fatness activism, the body positivity movement challenged the link between weight and personal worth. It advocated for dignity, respect, and equitable treatment regardless of body size or shape.
The movement pushed for changes in education, workplaces, advertising, and medical perspectives, confronting misconceptions that equate weight with health or hygiene.
Despite its positive intentions, body positivity has faced criticism for focusing mainly on appearance and overlooking the physical health risks associated with excessive weight. Moreover, expecting constant love for one’s body can be unrealistic.
These limitations have paved the way for the rise of body neutrality.
The Rise of Body Neutrality
Gaining momentum around 2015, body neutrality was popularized by intuitive eating counselor Anne Poirier, who used it to help patients balance diet and exercise healthily.
This philosophy recognizes humans as complex beings, with many physical traits influenced by genetics beyond personal control.
By focusing less on appearance and more on bodily function, body neutrality fosters appreciation for everyday abilities—from physical activities to simple acts like hugging loved ones.
Why Combining Both Approaches Works Best
Integrating body positivity and neutrality allows you to harness the strengths of each. Body positivity uplifts mood and combats negative self-talk, encouraging pride in your body despite societal pressures or past messages.
Meanwhile, body neutrality offers a compassionate alternative when loving your body feels challenging, emphasizing acceptance and gratitude for what your body enables you to do.
Since our feelings fluctuate, adopting a flexible mindset lets you choose the approach that resonates most on any given day.
Practical Steps to Embrace Body Positivity and Neutrality
Each morning, tune into your mindset: Are you ready to celebrate your appearance, or would you prefer to focus on acceptance and appreciation?
If choosing body positivity, try these actions:
- Identify and verbally affirm features you love, such as "I adore my long legs" or "My shoulders look fantastic in this sleeveless top."
- Repeat empowering affirmations like "I am content with who I am."
- Avoid comparing your body to others, remembering there is no single ideal body type.
- Engage with online content that promotes self-love and body positivity.
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If opting for body neutrality, consider these practices:
- Place reminders around your home and workspace to encourage acceptance of your body as it is.
- Express gratitude for your body's functions, such as "I appreciate my body for enabling me to complete daily tasks."
- Practice mindfulness by observing how your body supports you throughout the day.
Final Thoughts from Verywell
It’s natural that loving your body every moment may not be feasible, but appreciating its capabilities is always within reach. Embrace self-love when possible and practice self-acceptance when love feels overwhelming. Both approaches serve meaningful roles, empowering you to choose what feels right for you.
- Living Well
- Self-Improvement
Sources:
- Heider N, Spruyt A, De Houwer J. Body dissatisfaction revisited: On the importance of implicit beliefs about actual and ideal body image. Psychol Belg. 2018;57(4):158-173. doi:10.5334/pb.362
- Ipsos. Most Americans experience feeling dissatisfied with how their body looks from time to time, including nearly two in five who feel this way whenever they look in the mirror.
- Mehdi N, Frazier C. Forgetting fatness: The violent co-optation of the body positivity movement. Debates Aesthetics. 2021;16(1):13-28.
- Sutley P. The line between body positivity and glorifying obesity. An Ecological Approach to Obesity and Eating Disorders.
- Cleveland Clinic. What’s the difference between body positivity and body neutrality?
By Kristen Fuller, MD
Kristen Fuller is a physician and accomplished clinical mental health writer specializing in addiction, substance abuse, and eating disorders.
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