Is The World Becoming More Body Positive?

Key Takeaways:

• Body Positivity encourages people to love and accept their bodies, but many still struggle with self-image.
• 91% of women are dissatisfied with their body shape and resort to dieting, but this can lead to unhealthy eating habits.
• There is a gap in clothing options for plus-size women, with only 8% of brands catering to 67% of American women who are size 14 and above.
• Media representation still marginalizes larger body types, reinforcing stereotypes.
• Change can happen if consumers start shopping for inclusive brands and the media reflects real, diverse bodies.

Body Positivity: Why Loving Ourselves is Harder Than it Sounds

If you’ve scrolled through social media recently, you’ve likely come across the term Body Positivity. From influencers to fashion brands, it feels like everyone is jumping on the #bopo (short for body positivity) train. But is it really sinking in?

Despite the encouraging slogans, a recent survey revealed that 91% of women are still unhappy with their bodies, resorting to diets in hopes of achieving their ideal figure. While it’s perfectly fine to want to feel your best, this behavior often leads to unhealthy eating habits. In fact, 33% of people who diet fall into pathological eating patterns, and 25% of those end up developing an eating disorder.

Sure, the world seems more body positive than before, but let’s face it: the message is still taking its sweet time to fully sink in. Women in America are still grappling with dissatisfaction and unrealistic body standards. So, what’s really going on?

The Fashion Industry: The Plus-Size Problem

Let’s start with fashion—because if there’s one thing that can make you feel great or totally awful, it’s the clothes you wear. More brands are including models of different shapes and sizes in their advertisements, which is amazing. However, there’s still a huge problem lurking beneath the surface: most brands don’t actually make clothes for larger women.

According to a market research study by the NPD Group, 67% of women in America are a size 14 or above. But guess what? Only 8% of fashion brands manufacture clothes in those sizes. So, despite all the #bopo messaging, the majority of American women are still being left out of the fashion loop. This sends a discouraging signal: you can be body positive, but good luck finding something to wear that fits.

Table 1: Size Inclusivity in Fashion Brands

Why This Matters

When women can’t find clothes that fit or flatter their bodies, they internalize the message that they don’t deserve to look fashionable. This perpetuates a negative body image, no matter how much the media preaches body acceptance.

Changing the Game: How We Can Help

So, what can we, as consumers, do? It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of big fashion companies, but small actions can have big ripple effects.

Take recycling as an example. If everyone recycled one soda can, it might seem like a drop in the ocean. But on a global scale, it makes a huge difference. The same logic applies to the clothing industry. If more people demand clothes that cater to all body types, the brands will eventually have to listen.

Imagine this: you go out shopping, and instead of picking clothes from brands that cater only to a narrow size range, you choose to support a company that creates inclusive, comfortable clothing for everyone. Whether it’s boy shorts, thongs, or jeans, your purchase sends a message. It may seem like a small act, but if enough people change their shopping habits, companies will have to adjust.

How to Be a Conscious Shopper:

1. Look for brands that offer inclusive sizing.
2. Support companies with diverse advertising.
3. Spread the word: recommend inclusive brands to your friends.

Media Representation: Still Stuck in a Time Warp?

We’ve made some progress when it comes to body representation in media, but there’s still a long way to go. These days, we’re seeing more body-positive ads, with companies showing off stretch marks and cellulite as something normal and beautiful. Yay, right? But what about other forms of media?

When was the last time you watched a movie where the plus-size actor wasn’t just the comic relief? Yeah, exactly. Hollywood and TV shows still tend to portray larger people as the funny sidekick, not the lead character. This creates a damaging stereotype that only certain body types are worthy of being seen as attractive, confident, or successful.

Real-Life Example: Media and Perception

In a study conducted by the Journal of Health Psychology, researchers found that people who watched TV shows with more diverse body representation reported feeling better about their own bodies. However, when people were exposed to programs that only showcased thin, “ideal” body types, their self-esteem took a hit.

Table 2: Impact of Media on Body Image

Media has a huge influence on how we see ourselves, and while the needle is moving in the right direction, it’s not quite there yet. We need to see body diversity across all industries—from movies and TV to sports and even cartoons.

The Way Forward: It’s Time for Real Change

So, what’s the takeaway here? Body positivity is more than just a hashtag or a trending movement. It’s about changing the way we treat ourselves, how we shop, and the way media portrays people of all shapes and sizes.

What Can We Do to Support Body Positivity?

1. Celebrate body diversity: Appreciate and encourage others to embrace their unique shapes.
2. Support brands that champion inclusivity: Make conscious shopping choices that align with body-positive values.
3. Advocate for better media representation: Demand more realistic portrayals of different body types in movies, TV shows, and ads.

While it may seem like a long road ahead, every small action counts. If we continue pushing for real change in fashion, media, and how we treat ourselves, the #bopo movement will grow stronger, and eventually, we’ll see a world where people of all sizes feel truly seen and celebrated.

Conclusion: It’s Not Just About Size

Body positivity is more than just loving your body. It’s about creating a society where everyone, regardless of size, shape, or color, feels confident and accepted. From fashion brands to media, the world has a lot of catching up to do—but with collective action, the tide is already starting to turn.

So, next time you look in the mirror, remember this: you are beautiful, just as you are.

References:

• NPD Group. (Year). “Size Inclusivity in Fashion Brands.”
• Journal of Health Psychology. (Year). “Impact of Media on Body Image.”