In 2010, Linda Bacon, Ph.D., published Health at Every Size, which promoted the idea that everyone should have respect regardless of their weight. Bacon also started a group of the same name which offered resources that encouraged people to stop dieting and provided professionals that agreed with the idea that “fat” doesn’t always mean “unhealthy.”
Health at Every Size® principles help us advance social justice, create an inclusive and respectful community, and support people of all sizes in finding compassionate ways to take care of themselves.
From there, the body-positivity — or “fat-positivity” — movement grew and began to reduce the stigma of being heavy. People finally began hearing the message that everyone should love their body, no matter what the media or diet industry might say.
However, the normalization of “plus-size” body shapes is causing people to underestimate their weight, according to new research by the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. This study aimed to investigate trends and socio-demographic factors underlying weight misperceptions in adults with overweight and obesity in England.
Analysis of data from approximately 24,000 overweight or obese people revealed that weight misperception has increased substantially, particularly among men and individuals with lower levels of education and income. Ultimately, according to the study, individuals are more likely to underestimate their weight and consequently less likely to try to lose weight. Specially, ~85% of the respondents who underestimate their weight are less likely to try to lose weight compared with individuals who accurately identified their weight status.
Dr. Raya Muttarak, the study’s primary researcher, said: “Seeing the huge potential of the fuller-sized fashion market, retailers may have contributed to the normalization of being overweight and obese. While this type of body positive movement helps reduce stigmatization of larger-sized bodies, it can potentially undermine the recognition of being overweight and its health consequences. The increase in weight misperception in England is alarming and possibly a result of this normalization.”
One company capitalizing on the “body positive” movement is Knix, which has aimed to “reinvent intimates for the rest of us” based on the founders’ belief that “women deserve underwear that allows them to embrace the blood, sweat and tears that accompany a life well lived.”
At Knix, we believe women shouldn’t be confined to what’s conventional. We should be free to be comfortable and confident, and free to be ourselves. That’s why what we do feels so unlike anything you’ve worn before. To put it simply, we make intimates that you’ll love to live in.
Knix’s comfortable bras are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not in love, they’ll take it back, no questions asked.
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