Over the last few years, the body positivity movement has really taken off. Celebrities and public icons are starting to promote body positivity and encourage acceptance of all body types. Meghan Trainor’s catchy anthem about “all about that bass” and Lizzo’s commitment to body acceptance through her inclusive casting choices have inspired many to celebrate their bodies. Yet, amid this movement, a troubling trend has emerged: the phenomenon of “shrinking girl summer,” where the focus on weight loss and thinness seems to overshadow the principles of body positivity.
Through writing this book, the author did hope to create a future in which self-worth is not connected to obesity. Brands such as Valentino, D&G, Ganni and Reformation are taking a step toward this ideal by dressing the plussier among us. The hope was that as more individuals, including Lena Dunham, Meg Stalter, CMAT, and Lola Young, publicly promoted body positivity without the need for dieting, society would embrace all forms of beauty. As some reality stars and celebrities experience extreme makeovers that take them in the direction of thinness, the story seems to be heading in the opposite and dangerous direction.
Adele’s highly-publicized weight loss sharpened the focus on body image and society’s obsession with size. ACTRESS AND COMEDIAN REBEL WILSON has similarly influenced this narrative. Her dramatic recent weight loss means she’s now in the company of other A-listers who are making the switch to thinner A-listers. Robbie Williams has already captured headlines with his GLP-1 inhibitor use. He referred to them as a “Christmas miracle,” which threw a highly loaded grenade into the continued discussion about health versus weight.
The author opens up about their own experiences with body shape anxiety. They often chronically fluctuate between elation to depression regarding their mass. Because it wasn’t enough that I had fought against GLP-1 inhibitors just to experience resulting debilitating anxiety as well as other undesirable side effects from the drug.
Influencers such as Siobhan Murphy add to the body positivity movement’s complexity. They speak to a larger tension between current advocacy movements disrupting our historical body image education. Murphy admits that the spirit of inclusivity is powerful, but the message could be better. It’s often mistakenly pitted against the idea that health should be linked to thinness. Even fellow influencer Alex Light, who has a similar story, agrees. He was able to identify the quiet indicators that demonstrate that the narrative has begun to change.
“For a while there were subtle signs.” – Alex Light
Nike’s introduction of curvier mannequins in their Oxford St store was another positive move towards encouraging more body diversity. It begs the question of if these initiatives are sincere or just reactions to consumer demand. Despite these victories, like Tess Holliday’s historic cover of Cosmopolitan, which helped shatter due barriers, plus-size representation continues to face enormous challenges. Yet this success is frequently drowned out by the daily drumbeat of celebrity weight loss news.
As a parent, Siobhan Murphy made her opposition to this program very plain. She was concerned that the way other people view her body might affect her followers.
“I worried people might feel let down or think I’d changed sides.” – Siobhan Murphy
The author learns to mourn and forgive their perceived shortcomings. They want to feel the same level of acceptance that they advocate for among others.
“I just … wish it were me.” – Author
The conversation about body positivity has reached an inflection point. As society witnesses a new wave of medical interventions influencing perceptions of beauty and health, many are left questioning what body positivity truly means.
“A new wave of medical intervention is changing the conversation and it has raised many questions about what body positivity truly means. For me, it was never just about size – it’s about acceptance and kindness toward yourself and others. Whether you stay the same size, gain weight or lose it, the core message should remain the same: your worth isn’t defined by your body.” – Siobhan Murphy