Sampada Tandan

Body positivity is a thought that all people can have a positive body image regardless of how society views ideal shape, size and appearance. The body-positive movement started some time ago to end the culture of fat-shaming and discrimination against people based on the size and structure of the body.

These days, this topic has emerged all around the world, which initially had its focus on challenging unrealistic feminine beauty standards. While body positivity has become increasingly popular, people continue to be confused about exactly what it means. The reason why body positivity is so misunderstood is that there are so many different definitions regarding what the movement means. It is based on an approach that may help you feel better about your body and less obsessed with chasing perfection.

Broad Concept
Body positivity is a broad concept that involves varieties of bodies and varieties of acceptance. These days we find many of us comparing body positivity with fat acceptance. We need to understand that these two things are quite different. Body positivity involves the acceptance of flaws we all have in our bodies.
It is a way to feel confident regardless of our insecurities whereas fat acceptance is a part of body positivity which includes specific acceptance and equality provided to people with a bigger frame. Some of us believe that body positivity simply involves changing our perspective and thoughts. However, true body positivity is an ongoing process of changing beliefs, thoughts and behaviours and examining how they interact with one another to spread positivity.

The word "body positivity" itself sounds very positive and to some extent, this movement has been successful in bringing confidence back in people who were the victim of a body-shaming culture. We have seen people coming out of the basket and taking a stand for themselves and sharing their experiences.
Many of us tend to compare ourselves to the models whose pictures undergo quite a lot of edits and the addition of filters as well. Negative body image can have consequences for mental well-being and can worsen many aspects of working. Weight stigma can be painful. The truth is that negative messages about weight are bad for physical health as well. Body positivity is guided by the understanding that feeling positive and accepting of appearance can improve mental health, reduce the risk of eating disorders, and allow one to function at their best. Problems that can emerge as a result of poor body image can include anxiety and depression.

Women experience depression at much higher rates than men do, and some researchers believe that body dissatisfaction may play an important role in explaining this gender difference in depression rate. Research has found that body dissatisfaction is associated with poor self-esteem in adolescents regardless of their gender, age, weight, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. It also hints that body dissatisfaction is linked to an eating disorder, particularly among adolescent girls. Self-love and body positivity encourages acceptance of bodies as they are and promotes beauty as a source of confidence, not anxiety.
As with most social movements, the body positivity movement has been subject to some criticism as well. Although the movement has made great gains in promoting the acceptance of varied bodies, some critics suggest that body positivity encourages obesity.

This criticism is based on the belief that bodies that do not fit the norm (like thin or lean bodies) are a result of laziness or moral failure. Critics suggest that weight poses a significant health risk and should not be underestimated. There has been significant debate about whether intentional weight loss can be considered part of body positivity.
Body positivity has also been criticised as unrealistic or expecting that people should feel good about their bodies all the time. Although body positivity encourages self-compassion, it is normal to have days where acceptance and celebration are difficult. It's ok not to admit everything about your body. It's ok to feel neutral or even indifferent about your body.

Confidence And Mindset
Your worth and value do not lie in your shape or your size or any other aspect of your appearance. It's not only the appearance that makes you attractive. Your confidence and the way you have shaped your mindset truly matters.
One of the popular misconceptions in our society is to compare body weight with our health. Bodyweight does play an important role in our health but it solely doesn't. Having a proper workout schedule and eating a balanced diet can help to improve mental health. The main thing is about how you manage your weight and how you carry your body.

Having plus-size physiques doesn't necessarily mean that it's solely about the diet. It might be a genetic reason as well. Giving our best to maintain our posture and the way to carry it depends on us. Instead of treating the body as an ornament, it should be treated as an instrument. To get to a place where all bodies are treated as equal we need to stop self-objectification and also provide the movement more support and accountability.

(Tandan is pursuing Bachelor's Degree in computer engineering)