What is body neutrality and how is it different to existing body image concepts? An analysis of experts and general community responses

• Published in: Body image 2024-12, Vol.51, p.101780, Article 101780
• Main Authors: Mulgrew, Kate E., Hinz, Angela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Body functionality; Body Image - psychology; Body neutrality; Body positivity; Female; Functionality appreciation; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Physical Appearance, Body; Positive body image; Self Concept; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1740-1445; 1873-6807; 1873-6807
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101780

There has been considerable recent interest in and reference to body neutrality, despite limited scholarship on differences from existing constructs. Our study examined perceptions of body neutrality in 229 individuals (researchers, clinicians, eating disorder lived experience, general community). Questions explored definitions of body neutrality, its similarity and differences to other concepts, perceived benefits and risks of adopting a body neutrality approach, and ratings on the usefulness of proposed components. Participants defined body neutrality as adopting an accepting, non-judgemental approach to one’s body, de-emphasising the importance of appearance, and viewing the body as a vessel that carries a person through life. Perceived benefits included it being more accessible than existing approaches and a useful coping strategy, while risks were that neutrality can be difficult to adopt in an appearance focused society and that it may prompt an apathetic response to self-care. Body neutrality was rated as conceptually similar to functionality appreciation, body acceptance, and body compassion, and definitions consistent with these terms were rated most favourably. Our findings show how body neutrality is perceived and used by experts and the general community. However, we question whether this conceptualisation is distinct from existing positive body image concepts. •Experts and general community (N = 229) provided definitions on body neutrality•Body neutrality viewed as similar to body functionality, compassion, and acceptance•Seen as more accessible than body positivity but also challenging•Definitions overlapped with positive body image; no unique elements identified•The term likely captures several understudied components of positive body image