Anti Diet & Body Positivity Movement

Hey guys! I'm sharing a discussion board we completed in my Nutrition for Eating Disorders class as part of my grad program. It was incredibly thought-provoking and, quite frankly, controversial. Though I don't normally share these types of post on our website, I find this argument to be important.

-Jourdan

The Unbearable Whiteness and Fatphobia of _Anti-Diet_ Dietitians.pdf

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Here is the original blog written by Marquisele Mercedes

Below is my response to the article:

Marquisele wrote a compelling and passionate piece highlighting the complex issues within the anti-diet, body-positive movement, particularly how white and thin privilege have shaped and, in many ways, distorted its original intent. It saddens me to see that dietitians, who are meant to be advocates for equity and health, have often played a role in this harm.

As a thin, mixed Asian American, I’ve always felt somewhat awkward sharing my personal experiences with body positivity. Marquisele’s quote, “The white hot rage I feel when these women tell me to flaunt my body, that I am still sexy no matter my size because they're sexy at their size in the position they feel fattest in,” really struck a chord with me. It made me reflect on the fact that, even though I’ve struggled with my own body image, it never felt like the space of the body positivity movement was truly mine to occupy. I don’t think that means my feelings aren’t valid (they are, and I can explore them within my own support systems) but turning them into public narratives on social media often felt performative or misaligned. It’s like I intuitively understood that this movement wasn’t originally meant for me. Again, we all experience emotions about our bodies (it's hard not to), but I think this is different from the BOPO movement itself. 

Marquisele rightly points out that body positivity stems from the fat acceptance movement—a movement designed to affirm and protect those living in bodies that are stigmatized and marginalized every day. We can and should support movements that uplift others without trying to insert ourselves into them or reshape them around our own experiences. Everyone deserves to feel good in their bodies, but we must also remember the historical context and the specific oppression the original movement was created to combat. I’m really glad we were asked to read this article. It helped me process the complicated emotions I’ve felt about the anti-diet and body positive spaces, and it affirmed some of the discomfort I hadn’t fully named. Overall, I deeply agree with Marquisele’s points and empathize with her frustration.

As a future registered dietitian, I want to be intentional with how I show up in this work—not out of fear of being “canceled,” but out of a deep respect for the roots of the anti-diet, body positive movement. When working with clients on body image, it will be essential for me to continually check my own privilege, remain humble, and offer empathy for experiences I may never fully understand—while still helping my clients feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Im curious, what emotions did these stir in you when reading?

Jourdan Delacruz is a 2X Olympian and represented Team USA in the sport of Weightlifting at the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games. Jourdan holds a bachelor's in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Northern Colorado. She is pursuing her master's degree in sports nutrition at Texas Tech University to become a sport-registered dietitian. Jourdan founded Herathlete, a brand committed to supporting female athletes through education and community.