Body Image

Factors that can influence

You are learning about the impact on body image and healthy eating.

Body Image Quiz: Answer the following questions on your paper as the teacher reads you the questions.

What is body image?

Body image includes: How we perceive our bodies visually How we feel about our physical

appearance; how we think and talk to ourselves about our bodies

Our sense of how other people view our bodies

Why is body image so important?

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.

Increased preoccupation with appearance and body dissatisfaction put people at greater risk for engaging in dangerous practices to control weight and size. Extreme dieting, exercise compulsion, laxative abuse,

vomiting, smoking and use of anabolic steroids have all been associated with negative body image.

Which factors affect body image? Body image, whether negative or

positive, is shaped by a variety of factors:

Comments from family, friends and others about people’s bodies, both positive and negative

Ideas that we develop about physical appearance The frequency with which we compare ourselves to

others Exposure to images of idealized versus normal bodies The experience of physical activity The experience of abuse, including sexual, physical, and

emotional abuse

Positive Body Image we have a realistic perception of our

bodies we enjoy our bodies the way they are. understanding that healthy, attractive

bodies come in many shapes and sizes physical appearance says very little about

our character or value as a person ensures that we don’t spend an

unreasonable amount of time worrying about food, weight and calories.

Negative Body Image

a distorted perception of size or shape global feelings of shame, awkwardness, and

anxiety about the body. feel that their size or shape is a sign of personal

failure; very important indicator of worth linked to:

diminished mental performance low self-esteem anxiety depression sexual dysfunction dieting eating disorders

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

particularly intense form of negative body image obsessed with perceived flaws in their appearance

that it affects relationships with family and friends creates problems with work or school. can result in anxiety, depression, and even

thoughts about suicide. is very treatable with a combination of medication

and therapy. People who get treatment become:

less preoccupied with their appearance feel better emotionally function better in their wider lives

Why are so many people unhappy with their bodies?

Current Physical Ideals The Media Size Prejudice Family, Friends, and Lovers Medical Standards and Medical

Professionals

What can we do to boost body image?

Talk back to the media De-emphasize numbers Stay off of the scale Realize that you cannot change your body type Stop comparing yourself to others Limit the “body checking” that you do throughout the

day Move and enjoy your body Spend time with people who have a healthy

relationship with food, activity, and their bodies Practice thought -stopping when it comes to negative

statements about yourself Nurture your inner self Question the degree to which your self -esteem

depends on your appearance Broaden your perspective about health and beauty Recognize that size prejudice is a form of discrimination