Body positivity originated in the late 1960s with the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA), rooted in the Fat Acceptance and Fat Liberation movements led by marginalized individuals (primarily queer Black women). Key tenets include:
The integration of body positivity into wellness is backed by a growing body of research regarding the mind-body connection. Traditional diet culture relies on shame as a motivator, yet studies suggest that shame is actually a poor driver for long-term health. Body positivity originated in the late 1960s with
Stigma and body shame can trigger cortisol spikes, a stress hormone that, over time, can lead to inflammation and other health issues. Conversely, environments that foster self-acceptance encourage sustainable behaviors. Stigma and body shame can trigger cortisol spikes,
"When people feel safe in their bodies, they are more likely to engage in intuitive eating and joyful movement," says Torres. "When you hate your body, you punish it. When you respect your body, you nurture it." "When you hate your body, you punish it
This shift recognizes mental health as a pillar of physical wellness. A lifestyle that requires starvation or anxiety to maintain is, by definition, not "well."
One of the most tangible areas of change is in fitness. The old model of wellness viewed exercise as a transaction: calories burned for food earned. This often led to a cycle of binging and restriction.
The body-positive wellness lifestyle introduces the concept of "Joyful Movement." This approach focuses on what the body can do rather than how it looks while doing it.