Body positivity and health are two topics that often spark heated debates and controversies.
Some people argue that the Body positivity movement ignores the health risks associated with being overweight or obese.
While others claim that health is not determined by body size or shape alone.
Some people believe that being fit means having a slim or muscular physique.
While others also assert that fitness can be achieved at any size or weight.
So, what is the truth? Can you be fit and plus-size?
How do Body Positivity and health relate to each other?
And how can you embrace both without compromising your self-esteem or well-being?
In this article, we will explore these questions and provide some tips and insights on how to balance body positivity and health in your life.
Key Takeaways
- Body positivity is a movement that promotes acceptance and love of all body shapes, sizes, genders, and skin tones.
- Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being that can be influenced by many factors, including body weight, diet, exercise, genetics, environment, and lifestyle.
- Being fit means having the ability to perform physical activities with ease and efficiency, regardless of body size or shape.
- Being plus-size means having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher, which may or may not indicate excess body fat or health risks.
- Body positivity and health are not mutually exclusive. You can be fit and plus-size, or unfit and thin. The most important thing is to focus on your own well-being and happiness, not on external standards or judgments.
What is Body Positivity?
Body positivity is a movement that emerged in the 1960s as a form of anti-fatness activism.
It aims to challenge societal standards of appearance and promote acceptance and love of all body shapes, sizes, genders, and skin tones.
It also advocates for;
- Equal rights,
- Dignity,
- Respect,
- Fair treatment for people of higher weights.
It also criticizes the diet industry for promoting unrealistic and harmful beauty ideals.
According to a 2019 study, body positivity has four main goals:
- To increase self-esteem and self-acceptance among people who experience body dissatisfaction or stigma
- To reduce the negative impact of appearance-related pressures and expectations on mental health and well-being
- To foster diversity and inclusivity in media representations of beauty and attractiveness
- To challenge the medicalization of body weight and the assumption that higher weight equals poor health
Some examples of body positivity are:
- Celebrating your body for what it can do, not for how it looks
- Appreciating the beauty and uniqueness of different body types
- Rejecting the idea that there is one ideal or normative body shape or size
- Respecting your own and others’ choices regarding food, exercise, clothing, cosmetics, etc.
- Seeking professional help if you struggle with eating disorders, body dysmorphia, or other mental health issues related to your body image
- Supporting organizations and campaigns that promote body positivity and fight against weight discrimination
What is Health?
Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being that can be influenced by many factors, including body weight, diet, exercise, genetics, environment, lifestyle, etc.
According to the World Health Organization, health is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Health is not a static or fixed condition but rather a dynamic and complex process that changes over time.
Health can also vary from person to person depending on their individual needs, preferences, goals, values, etc.
Therefore, there is no one universal definition or measure of health that applies to everyone.
Some examples of health are:
- Having a balanced diet that provides adequate nutrition and hydration for your body
- Engaging in regular physical activity that suits your abilities and interests
- Managing stress levels and coping with challenges in positive ways
- Having supportive relationships with family, friends, colleagues, etc.
- Seeking medical attention when needed and following preventive measures to avoid diseases or injuries
- Having access to quality health care services and resources
- Having a sense of purpose and meaning in life
What is Fitness?
Fitness is the ability to perform physical activities with ease and efficiency.
Fitness can be measured by various indicators such as strength, endurance, flexibility, speed, agility, balance, coordination, power, etc.
Fitness can also be influenced by many factors such as age, gender, body composition, genetics, training, recovery, etc.
Fitness is not a synonym for health but rather a component of it.
Fitness can contribute to health by improving cardiovascular function, musculoskeletal function, metabolic function, immune function, mental function, etc.
However, fitness alone does not guarantee health as there may be other factors that affect one’s well-being.
Some examples of fitness are:
- Being able to run a mile in a reasonable time
- Being able to lift a certain amount of weight or do a certain number of repetitions
- Being able to touch your toes or do a split
- Being able to sprint or change directions quickly
- Being able to balance on one leg or on a beam
- Being able to coordinate your movements with precision and accuracy
- Being able to jump high or far
What is Plus-Size?
Plus-size is a term that refers to clothing sizes that are larger than the standard or average sizes.
The definition of plus-size varies depending on the country, region, industry, brand, etc.
However, in general, plus-size clothing starts from size 12 or 14 in the US and size 16 or 18 in the UK.
Plus-size is also a term that is often used to describe people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher.
BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.
According to the National Institutes of Health, BMI categories are:
- Underweight: BMI below 18.5
- Normal weight: BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
- Overweight: BMI between 25 and 29.9
- Obese: BMI of 30 or higher
However, BMI is not a perfect indicator of body fat or health as it does not account for muscle mass, bone density, body shape, age, gender, ethnicity, etc.
Therefore, some people who are plus-size according to their BMI may not have excess body fat or health risks.
While some people who are normal weight according to their BMI may have high body fat or health risks.
Some examples of plus-size are:
- Wearing a size 16 dress or a size XL shirt
- Having a BMI of 27 or higher
- Having a waist circumference of 35 inches or more for women and 40 inches or more for men
- Having a body fat percentage of 32% or more for women and 25% or more for men
Can You Be Fit and Plus-Size?
The answer is yes. You can be fit and plus-size, or unfit and thin.
Body size and shape do not determine your fitness level or your health status.
There are many factors that affect your fitness and health besides your weight, such as your diet, exercise, genetics, environment, lifestyle, etc.
However, this does not mean that you should ignore your weight or body fat altogether.
While being overweight or obese does not automatically mean that you are unfit or unhealthy, it does increase your risk of developing certain diseases and conditions.
These conditions include:
- type 2 diabetes,
- heart disease,
- stroke,
- high blood pressure,
- high cholesterol,
- osteoarthritis,
- sleep apnea,
- gallstones,
- fatty liver disease,
- some cancers, etc.
Therefore, if you are plus-size and concerned about your health, you should consult your doctor and get a comprehensive assessment of your overall well-being.
Your doctor can help you;
- Determine if you need to lose weight or body fat to improve your health and reduce your risk of complications.
- Set realistic and healthy goals and provide guidance and support along the way.
On the other hand, if you are plus-size and happy with your body and your health, you should not feel pressured to lose weight or body fat to conform to societal standards or expectations.
You should not let anyone;
- Make you feel ashamed or inferior because of your size or shape.
- Tell you what you can or cannot do because of your weight.
- Define your worth based on your appearance.
You should;
- Embrace your body as it is and celebrate its abilities and achievements.
- Take care of your body by nourishing it with healthy foods and moving it in ways that you enjoy.
- Respect your body by listening to its signals and honoring its needs.
- Love your body by appreciating its beauty and uniqueness.
How to Balance Body Positivity and Health in Your Life
Balancing body positivity and health can be challenging in a world that constantly bombards us with messages about how we should look and feel.
However, it is possible to achieve a healthy and happy relationship with your body by following some tips and strategies such as:
- Practice self-compassion: Be kind and gentle with yourself when you face difficulties or make mistakes. Don’t judge yourself harshly or compare yourself with others. Recognize that you are human and imperfect, but also worthy and valuable.
- Practice gratitude: Be thankful for what you have and what you can do. Don’t take anything for granted or focus on what you lack. Acknowledge the positive aspects of your life and express appreciation for them.
- Practice mindfulness: Be present and aware of what is happening in the moment. Don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. Pay attention to your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surroundings without judging them.
- Practice positive affirmations: Be supportive and encouraging of yourself and your abilities. Don’t criticize yourself or doubt your potential. Repeat statements that boost your confidence and self-esteem, such as “I am strong and capable”, “I am beautiful and worthy”, “I am healthy and happy”, etc.
- Practice self-care: Be attentive and responsive to your physical, mental, and emotional needs. Don’t neglect or abuse your body or mind. Do things that make you feel good and relaxed, such as reading, meditating, listening to music, taking a bath, etc.
- Seek professional help: If you have a serious or chronic health condition, or if you suffer from a mental disorder such as depression, anxiety, eating disorder, etc., don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a qualified doctor, therapist, counselor, etc. They can provide you with the appropriate diagnosis, treatment, support, and resources that you need to improve your well-being.
- Surround yourself with positive people: Be selective about who you spend time with and who you let influence you. Don’t associate with people who are negative, toxic, judgmental, or unsupportive of your body positivity and health goals. Instead, choose people who are positive, uplifting, respectful, and supportive of your body positivity and health goals. They can inspire you, motivate you, challenge you, and celebrate with you.
- Educate yourself and others: Be curious and open-minded about learning new things and perspectives related to body positivity and health. Don’t rely on stereotypes, myths, or misinformation that can harm your body image or well-being. Instead, seek reliable sources of information that can enhance your knowledge and understanding of body positivity and health. Also, share your insights and experiences with others who may benefit from them or who may be interested in them.
Conclusion
Body positivity and health are not mutually exclusive.
You can be fit and plus-size, or unfit and thin.
The most important thing is to focus on your own well-being and happiness, not on external standards or judgments.
To balance body positivity and health in your life, you need to;
- Practice self-compassion,
- Gratitude,
- Mindfulness,
- Positive affirmations,
- Self-care,
- Seek professional help,
- Surround yourself with positive people, and
- Educate yourself and others.
By doing so, you can achieve a healthy and happy relationship with your body that will empower you to live your best life.
