Body Image

What is Body Image? How you perceive your body What you feel about that perception. Although your perception of your body can vary

from day to day, or even from morning to afternoon, people tend to have a relatively stable view of their body.

The way you see your body is not necessarily similar to the way others view you.

We tend to be more critical of our own body than others are of us

Activity With regard to each person, rate (1-10) your

first impressions regarding the person’s: Happiness Health Intelligence Attractiveness Body Size/Shape

1. 1.

2.

3

4.

5.

6.

7

Make a list in your binders of what you think influences these perceptions or “first impressions.” What influences our body image?

NOTES: We do not have a concept of our body image at birth; it

develops over our lifetime. We receive information daily about what is considered

attractive and what is considered unattractive. Each culture has its own ideals of beauty, which change over

time and are transmitted to individuals through family, stories and media.

Influences cultural Social Media peer group family

Children’s Toys and Fairy Tales

Lifesize: Height 68 Inches Neck 10 Inches Bust 33 Inches Waist 17 Inches Hips 30 Inches

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfrGArmpBl0

Lifesize: Height 72 Inches Neck 15 Inches Bust 36 Inches Waist 26.5 Inches Hips 33.5Inches

How Does Barbie and Ken Compare with a real person, like you?

You current measurements are: Hips _________ inches

Your Hips _____x2.27 = Height_____ Inches Your Hips ____x0.39 = Neck _____ Inches Your Hips _____x1.10 = Bust _____ Inches Your Hips _____x0.58 = Waist _____ Inches Your Hips _____x1.00 = Hips _____ Inches

Certainly, Barbie is not the only children’s toy that influences body image.

Action figures such as GI Joe, Superman, Batman and other army figures have a

big chest, muscular arms and legs, and a flat stomach with the desirable 6-pack.

Animated characters often have bodies that set the standard for what children believe is desirable.

The heroines in Disney classic films such as Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Snow White and The Little Mermaid are all thin and attractive

In many children’s stories, the hero or heroine is described as attractive while the evil character often has a deformity or is unattractive or overweight.

Body Images Over Time and Culture

On the following slides you will see how what is considered desirable with regard to body image changes over time and culture…

now

Lillian RussellActress,

early 20th century

Lillian RussellActress,

early 20th century

then

[ 6 ]

Nicole KidmanActress,

21st century

Nicole KidmanActress,

21st century

now

Babe RuthPro baseball player, early 20th century

Babe RuthPro baseball player, early 20th century

then

[ 7 ]

Barry BondsPro baseball player,

21st century

Barry BondsPro baseball player,

21st century

now

King Henry VIII16th century

King Henry VIII16th century

then

[ 9 ]

President Bush21st century

President Bush21st century

nowthen

[ 8 ]

Miss America contestant

1950s

Miss America contestant

1950s

Miss America2002

Miss America2002

there

American dancerballet

American dancerballet

here

[ 10 ]

New Zeland dancers

performing Maori haka

New Zeland dancers

performing Maori haka

there

American WrestlersAmerican Wrestlers

here

[ 11 ]

Japanese Sumo Wrestlers

Japanese Sumo Wrestlers

Body Types

the three basic body types are determined mainly by genetics

most people have a combination of body types

Body Composition body weight is affected by: age, height, body

type, amount of food eaten, activity level, and genetics

simply measuring weight is not an effective way to determine health

Improving Body Image Be aware: Be aware of how much time you spend

talking about food and dieting or how often you get drawn into conversations about how you should look. Challenge cultural myths.

Be open-minded: Examine your belief that beauty is thin for women, or muscle is ideal for men. Think of those you consider attractive. Are they solid, graceful, exciting, kind? Beauty comes in many forms.

Improving Body Image Be supportive: Be loyal and supportive to

others you care about. Avoid put-downs about appearance and don’t let anyone else put the ones you care about down.

Be introspective: Look for the inner qualities and strengths of others and appreciate your own. Say something positive about yourself everyday.

Improving Body Image Be positive: Change your focus. Instead of

adding up all that is wrong with you, pay attention to things you like about yourself.

Be receptive: Accept compliments from others by saying Thank-you rather than Yes, but......

Be firm: Stop comparing yourself to others. Comparisons are meaningless, painful and destructive to self-esteem.

Improving Body Image Be intentional: Take care of your body and

yourself by eating well and being active. If your body is tired, then rest!

Be courageous: Choose to do something you are putting off until you think you look good enough to do it.

Body Image and Gender Do you think that women and men, or boys

and girls both struggle with having a positive body image?

Yes!

Changing to Fit the NORM What might men and women do to change

their bodies to try and “fit” this unrealistic norm? Create a list in your notes.