Body Positivity acknowledges varying degrees of body shape and size – not everyone is or should be a poodle! It is possible to be a small, “perfect” weight and not be healthy, and conversely, to carry extra weight and still be unhealthy. Body composition is complex and influenced by numerous environmental and genetic factors. Painting everyone with the same “poodle brush” overlooks genuine health differences.
The video “Poodle Science” explains that doctors and scientists have examined a very limited range of body types for years – usually thin, muscular, often male bodies like athletes. This narrow focus can lead to misconceptions about what is healthy. For example, the BMI (Body Mass Index) metric usually categorizes muscular individuals as overweight or obese, which can be misleading since muscle mass differs from body fat.
Science supports the complexity of body composition. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that individuals with higher body mass but greater muscle mass had better health outcomes than those with lower body mass but higher body fat percentage (JAMA, 2016). Thus, weighing more does not necessarily mean being unhealthy.
Fortunately, I haven’t faced negative feedback about my weight, aside from my own internal criticism influenced by the countless messages aimed at women and girls through entertainment and advertising. I love seeing diversity and different body shapes (across all genders) represented in the media I consume. It took time, but I’ve come to love my unique shape. I’m no poodle; I’m more like a panda.
Here are some actionable tips for embracing body positivity and overcoming societal pressures:
- Curate Your Media Intake: Follow body-positive Instagram accounts and read articles celebrating body diversity.
- Practice Self-Compassion: Speak kindly to yourself and challenge negative thoughts about your body.
- Focus on Health, Not Weight: Engage in activities that make you feel good and healthy rather than fixating on the scale.
- Surround Yourself with Support: Connect with others who support body appreciation and radical self-acceptance.
- Get a Certified Body Image Coach: My coach, Kate Huffman, has been invaluable in my journey.
Society’s attitudes toward weight loss are exasperatingly inconsistent. The thin ideal is often coupled with the idolization of rapid weight loss, even though this rarely leads to good health. Building healthy habits is more important than meeting restrictive ideals.
There is also criticism about how people lose weight, with methods like medications or surgery being unfairly stigmatized. This is as nonsensical as telling a diabetic they need more discipline instead of insulin. It is not suitable to be critical of someone’s weight issues but also their method for addressing the situation. It seems like there is some societal norm to celebrate people who address their body weight issues the “natural way.”
In conclusion, I have a human body, and it’s fantastic. I’m like a Squishmallow.
Articles used to research this article:
Mohajan, D., & Mohajan, H. K. (2023). A study on body fat percentage for physical fitness and prevention of obesity: a two compartment model. Journal of Innovations in Medical Research, 2(4), 1-10.
Nuñez-Leyva, R. E., Lozano-López, T. E., Calizaya-Milla, Y. E., Calizaya-Milla, S. E., & Saintila, J. (2022). Excess weight and body fat percentage associated with waist circumference as a cardiometabolic risk factor in university students. Scientifica, 2022(1), 1310030.
Padwal, R., Majumdar, S. R., & Leslie, W. D. (2016). Relationship among body fat percentage, body mass index, and all-cause mortality. Annals of Internal Medicine, 165(8), 604.
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