Remember when body positivity was everywhere? Social media was full of messages telling you to embrace your stretch marks, love your curves, accept your skin, and celebrate the body you have now. It felt like the world was finally moving away from impossible beauty standards. But fast forward a few years, it feels like that wave of self-love has hit a wall.
The rising popularity of weight loss medications
Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and other weight loss drugs now dominate the headlines. Celebrity numbers are dwindling, diet trends are creeping back into the conversation, and the once-loud body positivity movement seems quieter. Although these medications have been around for years to treat diabetes and other health conditions, they have suddenly skyrocketed in popularity. As many as 6 percent of American adults admit to using them specifically to lose weight.1 The movement has not disappeared, but it is no longer the cultural force it once was.
This movement isn’t just about weight; body positivity encompasses the appearance as a whole. For example, skin acceptance has become part of the movement as more and more people challenge beauty standards that require a flawless, flawless complexion. Yet the skincare industry is booming, and according to projections it could reach $145 billion worldwide by 2028.2
Even teens and younger kids are obsessed with the latest products to create a “glass skin” look, often mimicking the trends they see on TikTok and Instagram. This trend reflects a broader shift, where a growing focus on self-improvement and fixing perceived shortcomings is overshadowing body positivity.
The movement has not disappeared, but it is subject to increasing criticism. Some claim that brands have commercialized body positivity with insincere messages trying to sell you things. Others say it has diluted the original message of advocating for marginalized bodies by trying to include everyone. Add to that social changes, like the rise of TikTok trends that glorify specific body types, and it feels like the urge to love your body — no matter its size — has taken a hit.
The shift among influencers
One of the most noticeable changes is the way some major influencers have turned to these so-called “miracle drugs,” undoing their previous support of body positivity. Many of these creators, who have gained huge online followings by promoting self-love and celebrating different body types, are now openly embracing weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. This change has led to heated debates about the direction and authenticity of the movement.
For example, Remi Bader is a TikTok star known for her candid discussions about body image and fashion for plus-size women. While she built her platform on body positivity, she later admitted that she had tried weight-loss medications to control her weight and pre-diabetes, prompting mixed reactions from fans who felt conflicted about her transparency.
These shifts have raised questions about whether the influencers who were once the face of the movement felt pressured to conform to societal ideals or whether they prioritized their health based on conversations with their doctors. For some, it feels like a betrayal of the movement’s core values, while others argue that body positivity should also include supporting people to make choices that support their well-being – whatever that looks like for them.
The toll on mental health care
When the world sends mixed signals about beauty and worth, it can undermine your self-esteem. The body positivity movement reminded us that you didn’t have to diminish yourself to fit in. If you’ve ever leaned on these values, these changes can have a profound impact on mental health.
- Increased self-doubt: When influencers or public figures who have built their brands on body acceptance start promoting weight loss, a ripple effect occurs. It can create feelings of inadequacy among their followers. You might think, “If they felt the need to change, what does that say about me?” That thought can spiral. It’s not uncommon to question yourself and become hyper-aware of your body in ways you weren’t before. You may compare yourself unfavorably to others or feel uncomfortable in your own skin.3
- The pressure to conform: The rise of weight-loss drugs has created new pressures for those who were just beginning to embrace their bodies. If even the most confident influencers have turned to drugs to shed pounds, what does that say to the average person? It can start a brutal internal dialogue, leaving you wondering if you should try it too.
- Reinforcing harmful norms: This shift has also revived harmful narratives about weight and dignity. Despite body positivity’s original intent to challenge societal beauty standards, these trends can feel like a step backwards. It’s exhausting and mentally draining for those who have fought hard to unlearn years of diet culture rhetoric.
- Difficulty keeping up: The accessibility of weight loss medications is also an issue. Many people cannot afford these treatments, leaving them feeling stuck and desperate. Watching influencers transform with no hope of doing the same can lead to inadequacy, jealousy, and even depression.
Body positivity essential reading
So, where does this leave us?
Body neutrality is a middle ground between loving and hating your body; it’s about acceptance without trying to change. This mentality focuses on what your body can do rather than how it looks, emphasizing function over aesthetics.4 For example, you might appreciate your legs because they carry you on a walk, rather than scrutinizing their shape or size.
Body neutrality does not require you to continually love every part of yourself, which can be unattainable for many. Instead, it offers a realistic approach to self-acceptance, freeing you from the pressure of constantly striving for ‘perfect’ body positivity.
This perspective can reduce the mental strain of chasing ever-changing beauty standards. When you adopt body neutrality, you step back from the cycle of comparison and self-criticism that social media and cultural expectations often fuel.4 Protect your mental space and unfollow people who make you feel unworthy or who encourage unrealistic beauty ideals.
You respect your body and treat it with care, whether that means feeding it whole foods, giving it rest, or being kind to yourself when negative thoughts arise. Body neutrality shifts your focus from how you look to how you feel, creating space for a healthier, more sustainable relationship with yourself.
Your value that goes beyond appearance
Sadly, body positivity no longer dominates conversations like it once did, but the core message still matters. Whether it’s weight, skin or any other aspect of your appearance, the idea that you are worthy of who you are remains vital. Trends will continue to change and beauty standards will evolve, but your relationship with yourself should always come first.
