Reply to Controversial opinion: Against “Body diversity” in social media ads

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[quote=Anonymous]Hi OP,

I volunteer with young women (mostly) regarding body positivity and healthy living habits.  I've been obese, overweight, normal weight, and too thin as a result of various eating disorders.

"body diversity" isn't about saying your body type is healthy or that it is something to be proud of.  What it is saying is "hey.  You don't look like the celebrities, models, etc but that doesn't mean you're ugly or unworthy".  It is kind of a weird concept for most people to get.  Body positivity isn't saying that being 300 pounds is ok, its saying "ok you're 300 pounds.  But that doesn't mean you need to hide yourself from the world".  I don't think that people who are grossed out or think less of overweight/obese people can really understand that concept.

For you, and many like you, you just see it is saying "300 pounds is fine.  You don't need to change yourself."  But that isn't what the message is.

Self loathing often goes hand in hand with being stuck in the poor habit cycle.  You feel disgusted with yourself and too embarrassed to go to the gym so you don't go.  You think everyone will be disgusted by you so you become depressed and stay inside and binge on food because that's how you cope with your depression.  Seeing someone who is confident in themselves and looks like them is really important.

Regarding the ad with the overweight woman and a pad hanging out.  Would it really have been that much less gross if it was a thin woman?  Probably not.  The ad itself is kind of crude.

And this doesn't just happen with overweight/obese people.  It happens with naturally skinny people too.  They get a different kind of reaction if anyone tries to celebrate their body types "ew gross eat a sandwich"  "why bother wearing a bikini top? You look like a boy anyways" [/quote]

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