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Description
The Body Positivity movement was created to encourage self-acceptance and inclusivity across all body types, encouraging individuals to embrace their bodies regardless of shape, size, color, gender, or ability. Black women, in particular, have been drawn to this movement, often through the influence of celebrities. The overall study aimed to understand how social media influences and contributes to health behaviors of African American Gen Z women. This current presentation aims to understand Black women’s perceptions of the Body Positivity movement. Participants included 35 African American women, ages 18 to 25, attending a historically Black university. Interviews examined participants’ recognition of body positivity posts, demographics of the creators behind these posts, and the impact of these posts on Black Gen Z women. While most participants were aware of the Body Positivity movement, many noted that its creators are not always Black women, contradicting the movement’s commitment to inclusivity and reducing its impact on their demographic. Participants also questioned the underlying messages conveyed in these posts. The findings highlight a lack of representation of Black women within the Body Positivity movement, raising questions about its continued relevance among Black Gen Z women. A limitation of this presentation is the sample size, as all participants were from a singular HBCU. Future research should include Black women from multiple HBCUs and predominantly white institutions to explore varying experiences. Overall, these findings suggest a need for more inclusive representation and meaningful engagement within the Body Positivity movement.
Publication Date
4-1-2025
Keywords
Body Positivity movement, Black women, African American Gen Z, social media influence, health behaviors, self-acceptance, inclusivity, representation, historically Black colleges and universities, HBCUs, media representation, identity, body image, intersectionality, cultural relevance, qualitative research, social media posts, celebrity influence, gender and race, youth perceptions
Recommended Citation
Tafari-Thompson, Zakiyah and Smith, Kalynda Ph.D., "Exploring Black Women’s Perceptions of the Body Positivity Movement" (2025). 2025 Honors College Research Symposium. 31.
https://digital.library.ncat.edu/honorscollegesymposium25/31