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Body image and self-esteem are closely related, with poor body image leading to low self-esteem and vice versa. Those who have been abused, teased, or bullied are more likely to have self-esteem issues, as are those who are overweight or have been ridiculed about their bodies. Improving self-esteem can help improve body image, and vice versa. Counseling and positive support can be helpful in addressing these issues.
Body image and self-esteem are closely related because it’s nearly impossible to have high self-esteem if you hate your body. Those who already have low self-esteem are also more likely to view their bodies more harshly than warranted. The relationship between body image and self-esteem goes both ways. Poor body image can eventually lead to self-esteem issues, and low self-esteem is often followed by a negative body image.
Low self-esteem can come from a variety of places. Those who have been abused, teased, or otherwise bullied are often more likely to have self-esteem issues. Children who are in foster care are also at risk of developing low self-esteem, leading to one of the biggest connections between body image and self-esteem. Those who are overweight, or those who have been teased or ridiculed about their bodies, are likely to have self-esteem issues.
Low self-esteem and a negative body image don’t have to be related to an actual weight problem or body abnormality, as body image and self-esteem are much more connected than that. It has been shown that those with low self-esteem may see their bodies as heavier, thinner, bonier, or flabbier than they actually are. This can stem from self-esteem issues stemming from unrelated issues, or it can stem from a teasing about one’s body.
There are ways to improve both body image and self-esteem. People who are overweight are often overweight due to low self-esteem. In this case, addressing self-esteem issues first is the best way forward. Seeing a counselor and being around positive, uplifting people is often a good first step. A counselor can help patients begin to change the way they think about themselves so they view their bodies more realistically.
If low self-esteem is directly caused by poor body image, changing the area of the body that causes the most anxiety may help. Being overweight is the most commonly reported body problem and in most cases it can be remedied with proper diet and exercise. Counseling can also help in these cases because patients can begin to accept their body as it is when some aspects cannot be changed and instead focus on the positive things they like about their body.
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