By: Emslie Parker

“ Body image is how you see yourself when

you look in the mirror or when you picture

yourself in your mind” (Nada).

What is body image?

• How we think our bodies look

• How we feel about how our body looks

• Our idea of how others view our bodies

• Our kinesthetic perception of our bodies

• Our level of connectedness to our bodies

Determining body image includes

different factors:

“Encouragement to focus on appearance is at an all-time

high in this culture, and with it comes the potential for a

significant increase in negative body image.” (Health

Promotion).

What makes body image so

important?

Body image has become a big problem in today’s

society. The media tends to portray a women’s body as a

thin, flawless structure. This is far from what the body

actually is. Women’s bodies are all different shapes and

sizes. They are different races, different textures and

different tones. To only display images that are ‘perfect’

is very disconcerting. It leads women to believe that they

need to be extremely fit, small sizes in order to be

‘accepted’ in today’s society

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0pwXRQxSYE

This video shows how media can have a large affect

on a women’s personal opinion of her body image:

• Many girls rely heavily on beauty and fashion information from

magazines

• Many websites, magazines and articles portray very tiny,

photoshopped women

• Music videos show women in little clothing, usually dancing

sexually

• Most models for makeup and fashion are very small, which makes

girls of a heavier weight wish they were tinier

How media affects body image:

• Depression

• Eating disorders (bulimia or anorexia)

• Poor development of interpersonal skills

• Unhealthy exercise

• Substance abuse

• Unhealthy dieting

Negative affects of poor body image:

• Obsessive scrutiny in mirrors

• Constant comparing of your own body to other people’s body

• Negative feelings towards your body image

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2Mn0TvDbaY

Signs & symptoms of a negative body image:

• Most important: Recognize and acknowledge the fact that you have an issue with your body image

• Cognitive behaviour therapy- an approach where irrational thoughts are recognized, analyzed and restructured

• Dance and movement therapy are used to develop a greater trust and appreciation of ones body

• Therapy groups

• There are many eating disorder treatment centers that also specialize in body image awarenesss

Treatment for negative body image:

Heart of leadership states:

• More than 90% of girls (15-17) want to change at least one aspect of their physical appearance

• 80% of children who are 10 years old are afraid of being fat

• 13% of girls age 15-17 acknowledge having an eating disorder

• 7 in 10 girls believe they are not good enough

• 80% of girls the age of 10 have dieted

Statistics

Armstrong, S. (2011, June 5). Statistics on Body Image, Self Esteem & Parental Influence Heart of Leadership. Retrieved April 5, 2015, from http://www.heartofleadership.org/statistics-on-body-image- self-esteem-parental-influence/

Body Image. (n.d.). Retrieved April 5, 2015, from http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_ Education/nutrition_&_eating_concerns/body_image.php

D, J. (2012, April 25). Media's Effects on Teen Girl's Body Image & Self Esteem. Retrieved April 5, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0pwXRQxSYE

Ekern, J. (2015, March 16). Weight & Body Image Disorders: Causes, Symptoms & Signs. Retrieved April 5, 2015, from http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/body-image

References

Impact of Body Image. (2000, January 1). Retrieved April 5, 2015, from http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/education/DLiT/2006/bodyimage/Impact of Body Image.htm#Negative effects

Love Yourself - A Video Dedicated to Girls and Boys Who Struggle with Body Image. (2012, February 6). Retrieved April 5, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2Mn0TvDbaY

What is Body Image? | National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d.). Retrieved April 5, 2015, from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/what-body-image

References