Body Acceptance Week 2023 was launched on 23 October, an opportunity to celebrate body diversity and promote positive body acceptance.

A recent survey by dating app Pure found that most people in England, regardless of gender, are tolerant of their partners' bodies, regardless of their size or hair. However, the research also revealed that many people, especially women, are still concerned about their bodies

The survey found that:

• 1 in 3 people avoid sex because of body insecurity.
• Women are more likely to experience frustration with their bodies and be rejected because of their appearance than men.
• Men are more likely to be tolerant of "imperfections" and less concerned about things like hair growth than women.

Research shows that progress is being made in positive body acceptance, but there is still much to be done.

The beauty industry certainly plays its part

The beauty industry plays an important role in promoting unrealistic beauty standards. These standards can lead to insecurity and low self-esteem, especially among women.

The movement of positive body acceptance helps

The body positivity movement has helped raise awareness of the importance of body acceptance. The movement promotes the idea that all bodies are beautiful and deserve to be loved.

What can we do?

We can help with the creation of a body-positive world by doing the following:

• Educate children about body acceptance and diversity.
• Challenge unrealistic beauty standards in the media and advertising.
• Support businesses and organisations that promote body acceptance.
• Together, we can create a world where everyone feels beautiful and accepted for their bodies
  Anna Maria Lambrou