So, Is the Body Positivity Movement Still a Thing?

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 right now. It felt like the world was finally stepping away from impossible beauty standards. But fast-forward a few years, and it feels like that wave of self-love may have hit a wall.

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The Rising Popularity of Weight-Loss Drugs

Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and other weight-loss drugs now dominate the headlines. Celebrities are shrinking, diet trends are creeping back into the conversation, and the once-loud body positivity movement seems quieter. While these drugs have been around for years to treat diabetes and other health concerns, they’ve suddenly skyrocketed in popularity. As many as 6 percent of American adults admit to taking them specifically for weight loss.¹ The movement isn’t gone, but it’s not the cultural force it once was.

This movement isn’t only about weight—body positivity includes appearance as a whole. For example, skin acceptance has become part of the movement as more people challenge beauty standards that demand a flawless, unblemished complexion. Still, the skin care industry is booming, with projections suggesting it could reach $145 billion globally by 2028.²

Even teens and younger kids are obsessing over the latest products to achieve a “glass skin” look, often mimicking trends they see on TikTok and Instagram. This trend reflects a broader shift, where a growing focus on self-improvement and fixing perceived flaws overshadows body positivity.

The movement hasn’t disappeared, but it has faced rising criticism. Some argue that brands have commercialized body positivity with insincere messages trying to sell you things. Others say it’s watered down its original message of advocating for marginalized bodies by trying to include everyone. Add in social changes like the rise of TikTok trends glorifying specific body types, and it feels like the push to love your body—no matter its size—has taken a hit.

The Shift Among Influencers

One of the most striking changes is how some plus-sized influencers have turned to these so-called “miracle drugs,” reversing their earlier support of body positivity. Many of these creators, who gained massive online followings by promoting self-love and celebrating diverse body types, are now openly embracing weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. This change has sparked heated debates about the movement’s direction and authenticity.

For instance, Remi Bader is a TikTok star known for her candid discussions about body image and fashion for plus-sized women. While she built her platform on body positivity, she later admitted to trying weight-loss drugs to manage her weight and pre-diabetes, stirring 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 if they were prioritizing 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 include supporting people in making choices that align with their well-being—whatever that looks like for them.

The Mental Health Toll

When the world sends mixed signals about beauty and worth, it can undermine your self-esteem. The body positivity movement was a reminder that you didn’t have to shrink yourself to fit in. If you once leaned on these values, these changes can have a profound mental health impact.

• Increased Self-Doubt: When influencers or public figures who built their brands on body acceptance start promoting weight loss, it creates a ripple effect. It can spark 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 unusual to start questioning yourself, feeling hyperaware of your body in ways you hadn’t before. You might unfavorably compare yourself to others or feel uneasy in your skin.³
• The Pressure to Conform: The rise of weight-loss drugs has created new pressures for those who were just starting to embrace their bodies. If even the most confident influencers have used medication to shed pounds, what does that say to the average person? It may trigger a relentless internal dialogue where you wonder if you should try it, too.
• Reinforcing Harmful Standards: This shift has also reignited harmful narratives about weight and worthiness. Despite body positivity’s original intent to challenge societal beauty norms, these trends can feel like a step backward. It’s exhausting and mentally draining for those who’ve fought hard to unlearn years of diet culture rhetoric.
• Struggling to Keep Up: The accessibility of weight loss drugs is also an issue. Many people can’t afford these treatments, leaving them feeling stuck and desperate. Watching influencers transform while they have no hope of doing the same can lead to inadequacy, jealousy, and even depression.

Body Positivity Essential Reads

Ozempic for the Rich, Body Positivity for the Poor

Compassion Helps Children Navigate Weight Changes

So, Where Does This Leave You?

Body neutrality is a middle ground between loving and hating your body—it’s about acceptance without trying to change. This mindset focuses on what your body can do rather than how it looks, emphasizing function over aesthetics.⁴ For example, you might appreciate your legs for carrying you through a hike rather than scrutinizing their shape or size.

Body neutrality doesn’t demand that you love every part of yourself all the time, which can feel 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 encourage unrealistic beauty ideals.

You respect your body and treat it with care, whether that means nourishing it with unprocessed food, 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 Worth Beyond Appearance

Unfortunately, body positivity doesn’t dominate conversations the way it once did, but its core message still matters. Whether it’s weight, skin, or another aspect of your appearance, the idea that you’re worthy as you are remains vital. Trends will continue to shift and beauty standards will evolve, but your relationship with yourself should always come first.