Body image dissatisfaction can stem from media, negative comments, stress, and comparisons to others. Self-esteem and body image are linked, and can be improved through positive reinforcement and therapy.
It’s common and perhaps instinctive for boys, girls, and even adults to rank their bodies against others. This often intensifies in middle school, when showers are often needed after gym class and hormones start raging, but the barrage of self-image influences starts much earlier. This trait can lead to body image dissatisfaction when the body seen in the mirror does not fit what is socially acceptable. The causes of this poor body image can range from favorite skinny figures in media or toys to negative comments from others, even comments that aren’t meant to be offensive.
From early childhood, the average human being is exposed to an array of influential media, raised on advertising, television and film where models and actors, journalists and even politicians are held to a high standard of physical uniformity. A common practice, even in 2011, is for short men to stand on a box when filmed or photographed next to taller women. The looks of those in the media – from commercials to blockbuster movies – are regularly modified by lights, makeup and “natural selection” to create a set of ideal characteristics that people may feel they must adhere to. Most who view these images will not be up to standard, causing body image dissatisfaction.
A person’s family and social network are also largely responsible for forming or at least reinforcing a person’s self-image, whether negative or positive. It could be as seemingly innocent as a parent telling a child, “You need to start working out” or “A little lipstick would brighten your cheeks.” It could also come from classmates, who might tease, “Where did you get your hair cut? The bowl factory?” They might also offer taunts that highlight negative characteristics about a person, such as calling an obese person a “fat” or a person who looks different from others a “monster.”
Stress is another possible precursor to body image dissatisfaction. A 2009 Australian National University study revealed that stress is a common cofactor in experiencing low self-esteem. Concerns about the future or just how tomorrow’s tasks can be completed could lead a person to feel less than adequate. The types of worries that create stress and, therefore, a decrease in self-esteem, are varied and can differ according to a variety of factors, such as gender, age, social class and income.
Self-esteem and body image go hand in hand. Low self-esteem can develop from body image dissatisfaction and vice versa. While self-esteem comes from within, it’s reinforced by parents, peers, and even the media. Telling someone sincerely that they are “beautiful,” especially when that person’s self-satisfaction is at a low ebb, can help improve self-esteem. Sometimes, a medical condition such as depression can make a person more prone to form body image dissatisfaction. In these cases, therapy, various medications, and even spiritual practices like meditation or prayer might be helpful in improving self-esteem.
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