Over the past couple of years, a new movement has been on the rise, the body positivity movement: an amazing campaign that has been constructed to advocate for the termination of body standards in society. One of the more common campaigns created around this movement is run by Aerie, a popular retail clothing store. Their campaign features authentic photos of women of all sizes who encourage other women to love their body and confirm that they do not need to conform to what society defines as beauty.

Don't change you. Change your bra! youtu.be

I encourage the continuation of this campaign; confidence is a powerful tool everyone should obtain. This promotion of loving yourself is a much-needed teaching especially with the increasing amount of young girls being exposed to the internet where endless numbers of models are praised and advertised for their looks. They grow up with this stimulation and want nothing more but to look like these Instagram models they stalk. Dieting, anorexia, and bulimia can be a result of the low self-esteem that is caused by this publicity.

While this new wave for girls of all ages is a great accomplishment, some of them may be getting too comfortable. This trend towards body acceptance might be preventing obese people from fully acknowledging that they are overweight, putting them at risk of serious health problems. This is not only directed to overweight people, there are plenty of thin girls who have incredibly unhealthy habits and are also at risk of health issues if they can continue to do nothing to remain skinny.

Body positivity reaches out to stick-thin girls and overweight girls. With this movement, women who have been affected decide that their body is fine the way it is. They may continue with unhealthy habits that shaped their body the way it is. They continue gorging on fast foods and sugary snacks and getting no exercise because the campaign says that you don't need to change who you are to be happy with your body.

Absolutely I believe self-confidence is so important and I wish for everyone to be comfortable in their own skin. However, girls need to be told to be comfortable in their own skin and that there is always room for improvement. This campaigning needs to be altered to promote healthy habits to become the best version of yourself. Campaigns like Aerie's should advocate for healthy lifestyle choices that are accessible to everyone.

You can love your body all you want, but prove it by making healthy lifestyle choices.