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Important Note and Disclaimer: The information provided in this website is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical or legal advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified mental health and/or wellness professional for any health concerns and/or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
What is Body Image?
What is body image?
What is body image?
Body image is a combination of the thoughts and feelings that you have about your body. Body image may range between positive and negative experiences, and one person may feel at different times positive or negative or a combination of both. Body image is influenced by internal (e.g. personality) and external (e.g. social environment) factors.
What are the four aspects of body image?
What are the four aspects of body image?
The way you see your body is your perceptual body image. This is not always a correct representation of how you actually look.
The way you feel about your body is your affective body image. Feelings may include happiness or disgust, but are often summarised as the amount of satisfaction or dissatisfaction you feel about your shape, weight and individual body parts.
The way you think about your body is your cognitive body image. This can lead to preoccupation with body shape and weight.
The behaviours you engage in as a result of your body image are your behavioural body image. When a person is dissatisfied with the way they look, they may isolate themselves or employ unhealthy behaviours as a means to change appearance.
National Eating Disorder Commission
Factors Influencing Body Image
Media Influence:
Exposure to media, especially social media, has been linked to negative body image and body dissatisfaction.
Social Comparison:
Comparing oneself to others, particularly online, can contribute to body image issues.
Cultural Norms:
Societal ideals of beauty and appearance play a significant role in shaping body image perceptions.
Family and Friends:
Pressure from family and friends to conform to certain body types can also negatively affect body image.
Low Self-Esteem:
Low self-esteem can be a contributing factor to body image concerns.
Mental Health Conditions:
Body image dissatisfaction is often associated with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and disordered eating.
Why is Body Image Important and Who Does It Affect?
Women with a positive body image are more likely to have good physical and mental health. Girls and women with negative thoughts and feelings about their bodies are more likely to develop certain mental health conditions, such as eating disorders and depression. Researchers think that dissatisfaction with their bodies may be part of the reason more women than men have depression.
A negative body image may also lead to low self-esteem, which can affect many areas of your life. You may not want to be around other people or may obsess constantly about what you eat or how much you exercise. But you can take steps to develop a healthier body image.
Womens Health
Girls are more likely than boys to have a negative body image. This may be because many women in the United States feel pressured to measure up to strict and unrealistic social and cultural beauty ideals, which can lead to a negative body image.
White girls and young women are slightly more likely to have a negative body image than African-American or Hispanic girls and young women. However, cultural beauty ideals change over time, and it can be difficult to correctly measure a complicated idea like body image among women from different backgrounds. Children of parents who diet or who have a negative body image are also more likely to develop unhealthy thoughts about their own bodies.
Boys & Body Image
Boys experience body dissatisfaction but often have a difficult time articulating their concerns.
Conversations about body image have been feminized, leaving boys ashamed to ask for help.
It is important that parents and practitioners normalize discussion about body image among boys.
Causes & Impacts of Negative Body Image
Consequences of Negative Body Image:
Disordered Eating:
Negative body image is a strong predictor of disordered eating behaviors, including dieting, purging, and binge eating.
Mental Health Issues:
Body image dissatisfaction is linked to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Reduced Physical Activity:
Individuals with negative body image may avoid physical activity due to concerns about their appearance.
Suicidal thoughts:
One in eight (13%) adults experienced suicidal thoughts or feelings because of concerns about their body image.
Check out the links in this section to find out more about the relationship between body image and eating disorders.
Ways to Promote Positive Body Image
What is positive body image or body acceptance?
What is positive body image or body acceptance?
When a person is able to accept, appreciate and respect their body, they may be described as having a positive body image. This is not the same as body satisfaction, as you can be dissatisfied with aspects of your body, yet still be able to accept it for all its limitations. Positive body image is important because it is one of the protective factors which can make a person less susceptible to developing an eating disorder.1
A positive body image is associated with:
Higher self-esteem, which dictates how a person feels about themselves, can impact on every aspect of life and contribute to happiness and wellbeing.
Self-acceptance, making a person more likely to feel comfortable and happy with the way they look and less likely to feel impacted by unrealistic images in the media and societal pressures to look a certain way.
Having a healthy outlook and behaviours, as it is easier to lead a balanced lifestyle with healthier attitudes and practices relating to food and exercise when you are in tune with, and respond to, the needs of your body.
National Eating Disorder Commission
How Can Parents Promote Healthy Body Image?
A parent's body image plays a role in how their kids see themselves. Studies show that daughters are twice as likely to have ideas about dieting when their mothers diet.9 If you want to lose weight to get healthy, pay attention to the language that you use with your kids. Rather than talking about “dieting,” explain that you are eating healthy foods. Together with your family, cook healthy meals, order healthy meals at restaurants, and get more physical activity. Teach your children about smart food choices and help them develop healthy eating and exercise habits.
Parents can help their children develop healthy body images by:
Making sure your children understand that weight gain and growth are normal parts of development, especially during puberty
Not making negative statements about food, weight, and body size and shape — yours, your children's, or anyone else's
Allowing your children to make decisions about food while making sure that plenty of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks are available
Complimenting your children more on their efforts, talents, accomplishments, and personal values and less on their looks
Limiting screen time. In addition to getting less exercise, kids who watch TV shows or movies or play online games often see unrealistic female bodies. Talk with kids about the media images you see.
Encouraging your children's school to create policies against bullying
Talking to your children often and showing them that you're always there to listen
Parents may be teaching their kids harmful habits if they:
Often complain about your weight or your body shape
Often try new “miracle” diets
Tell your kids they would be more attractive if they lost weight
Womens Health
Important Note and Disclaimer: The information provided in this website is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical or legal advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified mental health and/or wellness professional for any health concerns and/or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
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