Negative Body Image
Every woman, no matter what shape or size, has had moments where they are dissatisfied with their body or overall appearance. For some women, being unhappy with their appearance only lasts a few seconds while looking in the mirror, but for many other women, negative body image is a constant issue. For some reason, society has high expectations for women and their looks. The expectations for women create a lot of pressure and causes women to constantly look at themselves and compare themselves to the unrealistic qualities people expect of them. With the numerous negative thoughts about their image on their conscious, women develop negative body image that many times, leads to unhealthy behavior. Women may start excessive workouts, unhealthy diets, starvation, etc. These unhealthy behaviors often lead to eating disorders.
What is an Eating Disorder?
So what is an eating disorder? According to The National Eating Disorders Association, eating disorders are “serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. “Through several studies, researchers have discovered that there are a higher number of women with eating disorders than men: “for many years, it has been presumed that disordered eating occurs almost exclusively in women” ( Barnard et al. 517). Another major disorder that comes from a negative body image is body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Body dysmorphic disorder is essentially those who consistently think about their bodies throughout the day. Those with this serious disorder can’t help but think and look at their bodies negatively. No matter how many people tell them they look beautiful or even perfect, those with body dysmorphic disorder simply do not believe them.
What can be Done?
Although there is not a sure set cure for negative body image, there are several tips and practices that can be performed to keep a happier body image. Every step in obtaining a positive body image revolves around self-care. Taking care of yourself and loving yourself is essential to helping those to love their bodies more. There are also other ways of achieving a positive mind, such as being around supporting people, creating a healthy routine, using social media, and much more. Check out my “Tips to Staying Postive About Your Body Image” post.
Also, check out my Social Media and Body Image post to find a list of positive influential social media accounts. Accounts such as Positivebodyimage and a lot more!
PERRYMAN, MANDY, et al. “College Students’ Disordered Eating, Substance Use, and Body Satisfaction.” College Student Journal, vol. 52, no. 4, Winter 2018, pp. 516–522.
Body Image 