Media’s Effects on Teen Girl’s Body Image & Self Esteem (Video)
Weight & Body Image Disorders: Causes, Symptoms & Signs
National Eating Disorders Collaboration – What is body image?
Character is that which reveals moral purpose, exposing the class of things a man chooses or avoids.
Positive and Negative Body Image
The terms “positive body image” and “negative body image” describe a person’s comfort level with their own body. Positive body image (also called healthy body image or body image acceptance) is generally comprised of a sense of acceptance, comfort, and positive regard for one’s own body. In addition, positive body image results from accurate perceptions of one’s own appearance. Indeed, people with positive body image are unlikely to think to themselves, “I just love my body!” On the contrary, they tend to recognize their own flaws (because, after all, “no one body” is perfect!). In addition, they are more likely to appreciate their natural body for the benefits it offers.
They also generally feel comfortable about their bodies because they understand that their physical body is just one part of who they are. Therefore, they are more likely to appreciate their own unique strengths, talents, abilities, and personality. A person with a positive body image spends less time worrying about appearance and therefore has more time to spend in other activities that help build confidence and self-esteem. In contrast, negative body image (also called unhealthy body image, body image dissatisfaction, or body image disturbance) is characterized by a sense of shame, embarrassment, disappointment, or even disgust at one’s own body.
Disapproving thoughts, discomfort, and anxiety often go hand-in-hand with negative body image. People with negative body image are also more likely to focus on the parts of their bodies with which they are dissatisfied. The effect of body image disturbance can be far reaching. For example, studies show that greater degrees of body dissatisfaction are associated with poor self-esteem, depression, anxiety, unhealthy dieting behaviors, and eating disorders.
Poor body image can affect one’s mood, social functioning, and even level of sexual fulfillment. In contrast to those with a healthy body image, people with a negative body image are less likely to give themselves praise for other strengths and personality characteristics. This is because they are more likely to ascribe their sense of value or worth to their appearance and/or body shape.
For most people, body image falls along a continuum. In other words, there are degrees to which a person feels negatively or positively about his or her own body-it is usually not just one or the other. Additionally, most people’s self-perceptions about body image shift frequently, even on a daily basis.
Some, however, may hold extreme, persistently negative views about their bodies, as is often the case with anorexia patients. In severe cases such as these, negative body image may be coupled with body image distortion. Body image distortion involves a misperception of body shape and size, and/or a misperception of certain features of the body (e.g., stomach or thighs may inaccurately seem disproportionate to the rest of the body). Perhaps a helpful way of understanding body image distortion is to imagine seeing yourself in a funhouse mirror. Now imagine perceiving yourself like this on a regular basis; this is perhaps the most fitting description of body image distortion.
Sarah shares:
Sometimes people have this idea that patients with anorexia look in a mirror and see something entirely different than what is actually there. The way I see it, if you look at anything under a microscope, it eventually will look big. I scrutinized every single part of my body to the point that even when I was emaciated, all I could see were the imperfections in myself.
Positive body image is generally comprised of a sense of acceptance, comfort, and positive regard for one’s own body.
How do I know if I have a healthy body image?
Keeping in mind that positive and negative body image are on a continuum, you can use the following questionnaire to help guide you’re thinking about body image acceptance. As you read each statement, respond with one of the following answers: Always, Frequently, Sometimes, or Never. You may want to write your answers down as you go.
1) When I look in the mirror, I dislike what I see.
2) The way I treat my body is a result of my frustration with my physical appearance (example: I exercise to “punish” my body because I feel fat or didn’t perform well athletically).
3) I think of the worth of myself and my body in terms of appearance (example: I like myself because I look good today), not in terms of how it feels and what it does for me (example: I like myself because I am healthy or strong).
4) Even when others tell me I look fine, I think they are lying.
5) When I look in the mirror, I can’t help but concentrate on the parts of my body that I dislike or hate.
6) I avoid social situations because of fear, self-consciousness, and anxiety about my body (example: I didn’t attend a pool party because of fear of wearing a bathing suit).
7) I do not like being seen in revealing or tight clothing because I am uncomfortable with my body.
8) I think that if I were thinner, I would be happy.
9) I spend a large part of my time thinking about food, weight, calories, and/or appearance.
10) I am afraid of gaining weight or being fat.
11) To me, a good day is one when I feel or look thin, and a bad day is one when I feel or look fat.
If you answered Always, Frequently, or Sometimes to three or more of these statements, you may be suffering from poor body image. If you answered Never to most of the questions, you likely have a healthy, positive body image. Either way, read on to learn about ways to improve your body image.
This questionnaire has been provided by the Multiservice Eating Disorders Association (MEDA) and is used with permission.
Accepting our bodies can be a key toward recovery and good health. After all, you can’t love your body too much; it’s the only one you’ve got!
What are some of the risk factors for developing body image disturbance?
Many of the risk factors related to body image disturbance are shared risk factors for anorexia. For example, media influence, family and peer influence, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, poor coping skills, and teasing about weight are shared risk factors. Pubertal development may also influence body image, with early developing females and late-developing males reporting more dissatisfaction.
Additionally, studies show that pregnancy is a potential risk factor for body image disturbance. According to the Handbook of Eating Disorders and Obesity, those at greatest risk for body concerns during the postpartum period are those who retain pregnancy weight and who had body image concerns before their pregnancy. Finally, research indicates that those who engage in comparisons with others regarding weight and body shape are also at greater risk for body image disturbance.
