Plate Up Body Positivity: Embrace Diversity

Did you know that according to a study by Common Sense Media, 80% of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat? By the time they reach their teenage y​ears, this fear has become a full-blown body image crisis that can lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety?^{[1, 2]}

Diet culture and the pressure to achieve an ideal body type can negatively impact our overall well-being. 

What's Body Neutrality?^[1,2]

Body neutrality is about accepting and respecting your body for what it is rather than constantly striving to change it. It's a welcome alternative to traditional body positivity movements that sometimes pressure people to love their bodies unconditionally, even when they don't feel comfortable or confident. 

By embracing body neutrality, we can:^[2,3]

1. Focus on what our body needs to be healthy rather than obsessing over appearance.

2. Challenge negative self-talk and reject the pressure to achieve an "ideal" body type.

3. Celebrate the diversity of our bodies

4. Promote a healthy relationship with food and body image.

But…^[3,4,5]

It's important to note that obesity can negatively impact physical health, such as the increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
On the other hand, body neutrality encourages a healthy relationship between food and body image.
It rejects the harmful effects of diet culture and the pressure to achieve an "ideal" body type. 

Embrace diversity and prioritize our health and well-being by practising body neutrality. Remember, a healthy body is not about achieving a specific size or shape but about nourishing ourselves with decent food and positive self-care.

References:

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/body-neutrality 

2. https://www.verywellhealth.com/ketogenic-diet-and-cancer-4773058

3. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-is-body-neutrality

4. https://www.nature.com/articles/ijo2013201

5. ​https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4132299/