Is the body positive movement on its way out?

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Is the body positive movement on its way out?

As a gamer and someone who has lived through the evolution of body image trends online, I can’t help but feel disheartened by the recent signs that the Body Positive movement may be losing steam. For me, this movement was a breath of fresh air in a world where thinness was the only socially acceptable standard of beauty. I remember the days when Renee Zellweger’s weight gain for her role in “Bridget Jones’s Diary” was considered brave and groundbreaking. It’s terrifying to see us shifting back towards those old ways, where fat people are erased from representation and visibility.

Signs indicate that the Body Positive movement might be losing popularity. This could be due to a renewed focus on thinness, which may have been a profitable trend for some. As a result, there may not be as many opportunities for people of larger sizes to feel appreciated and celebrated online. For those who remember Renee Zellweger’s bravery in gaining weight for her role in “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” this return to old ways is alarming. This trend is reflected in the lack of plus-size representation on the internet and the increasing use of weight-loss injectables like Ozempic.

The End of the Plus Size Model/Influencer

Tabria Majors, a well-known plus size model and social media influencer, recently shared on Instagram her concerns about the decreasing opportunities for models of larger sizes like herself. She mentioned that a brand she had previously collaborated with has stopped selling extended sizes. Additionally, some models in her circle have lost weight rapidly to keep working in the industry. These developments became apparent to Majors within just a year.

An alternate expression could be: In an article for Cosmopolitan, Natalie Craig, a well-known influencer who identifies as plus-size, shared her perspective under the title “My Emancipation from Fat Is Not a Fad.” In this piece, she elaborates on this transformation.

As someone who has been a part of the body positivity and fat liberation movements for years, it’s disheartening to see some influencers I once looked up to abandoning these causes they built their careers on. I’ve witnessed several content creators undergo weight loss surgery or eagerly promoting newly FDA-approved weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.

Certain well-known influencers in the plus size community have chosen to prioritize their personal health journeys and have expressed their intent to step back from the Body Positivity movement. This decision has been met with disappointment among some, as it echoes a common criticism often levied by those who are critical of larger bodies: that focusing on health can be used as a disguise for promoting weight loss and stigmatization.

As a passionate supporter of body positivity, I’d like to share a version of its history from my perspective. The Body Positive movement we know today is an evolved form of the Fat Acceptance movement, which emerged as a reaction against the pervasive diet fads and the mistreatment of people with larger bodies in the 1960s.

In the 70s, 80s, and 90s, the fat acceptance movement gained momentum. During the 80s, activists bravely spoke out against the diet industry on talk shows. By the 90s, protests sprang up nationwide. Then, in the early 2000s, social media emerged as a powerful tool for body positivity advocates. As a passionate supporter of this movement, I took part by sharing messages online that celebrated fat people’s worth and beauty. Women of color and queer individuals played pivotal roles in shaping the digital discourse around body positivity. One particularly influential piece was Sonya Renee Taylor’s viral poem “The Body is Not an Apology.” Her powerful words, such as “the body is not to be prayed for; it is to be prayed to,” resonated deeply with many and elevated Taylor into a prominent voice in the movement.

As the Body Positive movement gained wider acceptance, it began to embrace a greater diversity of body types, including those considered mid-sized or imperfect, who aren’t typically classified as visibly obese. While mid-sized individuals may not experience the same level of discrimination as those who are fat, the online sharing of insecurities promoted by the movement became popular among all body sizes. However, this shift in focus toward mid-sized bodies risked overshadowing the experiences and needs of those who identify as truly fat. This evolution of the movement is what we have come to know today.

The Catch-22 of Ozempic

People are turning to injectables like Ozempic and Mounjaro, which were initially intended for managing conditions such as obesity and diabetes, as a convenient method for weight loss. These treatments have gained popularity beyond their initial purpose, leading more individuals to aim for slimmer bodies. However, the Body Positive movement raises questions: What’s the point if everyone can easily transform into socially desirable versions of themselves through an injection?

Is the body positive movement on its way out?

As a gamer, I’ve come across Samhita Mukhopadhyay’s article “So Was Body Positivity ‘All a Big Lie’?” in The Cut, where she delves into the internal struggle of desiring body positivity but experiencing relief upon losing weight and the anxiety of potential weight regain. Contrary to popular belief, body positivity and earlier fat liberation movements do not discourage self-care or weight loss. Instead, they aim to combat societal pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: I can’t ignore the benefits these drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro bring to the table for diabetics. They help regulate blood sugar levels, which is crucial for us gamers with diabetes. Plus, they reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, keeping our health in check. And interestingly enough, some studies suggest that Ozempic might even aid in quitting smoking and cutting down on drinking. It’s a win-win situation!

Gabriella Athena Halikas, model and influencer, opted for Ozempic medication to alleviate her Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) symptoms. Halikas expressed concern over potentially disappointing her followers due to potential weight loss as a side effect. Inherently, creators like Halikas are in a predicament: they’re role models for many yet may disappoint them by prioritizing their health. However, it’s crucial not to overlook the appeal of Ozempic. The discussion around lowering blood sugar levels and stroke risk reduction is not just a marketing strategy; it’s the allure of weight loss that makes this drug popular. The scarcity of this medication due to mass purchases for weight loss purposes underscores our societal fear of obesity. We’re collectively terrified of gaining weight.

As someone who has struggled with my weight for most of my life and followed several influencers in the plus size community, I can’t help but feel a pang of concern as more and more influencers choose to lose weight or opt out of being plus size. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for personal growth and self-improvement, but it’s hard not to wonder who will be left to uplift and represent those of us who are still working on our own journeys towards a healthier body image?

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2024-07-23 17:15