Body image is a combination of your thoughts and feelings about your body. This image may range between positive and negative experiences, and one person may feel at different times positive or negative or a combination of both. It is influenced by internal (e.g., personality) and external (e.g., social environment) factors.
What are the four aspects of body image?
- The way you see your body is your perceptual body image. This is not always a correct representation of how you look.
- The way you feel about your body is your affective body image. Feelings may include happiness or disgust, but are often summarized as the amount of satisfaction or dissatisfaction you feel about your shape, weight, and individual body parts.
- The way you think about your body is your cognitive body image. Unfortunately, this can lead to preoccupation with body shape and weight.
- The behaviors you engage in due to your body image are your behavioral body image. People dissatisfied with their appearance may isolate themselves or employ unhealthy behaviors to change their appearance.
What is positive body image or body acceptance?
People who accept, appreciate, and respect their bodies may be described as having a positive body image. This is not the same as body satisfaction, as you can be dissatisfied with aspects of your body, yet still be able to accept it for all its limitations. However, positive body image is essential because it is one of the protective factors that can make a person less susceptible to developing an eating disorder.
A positive body image is associated with:
- Higher self-esteem, which dictates how a person feels about themselves, can impact every aspect of life, and this can contribute to happiness and well-being.
- Self-acceptance makes a person more comfortable and happy with how they look and less likely to feel impacted by unrealistic images in the media and societal pressures to look a certain way.
- Having a healthy outlook and behaviors make it easier to lead a balanced lifestyle with healthier attitudes and practices relating to food and exercise when you are in tune with and respond to your body’s needs.
What is body dissatisfaction?
Body dissatisfaction occurs when a person has persistent negative thoughts and feelings about their body. Body dissatisfaction is an internal emotional and cognitive process, but it is influenced by external factors such as pressures to meet a particular appearance ideal.
Body dissatisfaction can drive people to engage in unhealthy weight-control behaviors, particularly disordered eating habits. This places them at heightened risk for developing an eating disorder.
Why is body dissatisfaction a severe problem?
Body dissatisfaction and overvaluing body image in defining one’s self-worth are risk factors making some people more susceptible to developing an eating disorder than others. In addition, people experiencing body dissatisfaction can become fixated on changing their body shape, leading to unhealthy practices such as food, exercise, or supplements.
Over time, these practices do not achieve the desired results and often create a trap leading to intense feelings of disappointment, shame, guilt, and, ultimately, increased risk of developing an eating disorder.
How can you improve your body image?
There is no right or wrong regarding weight, shape, size, and appearance. However, challenging beauty ideals and learning to accept your body shape is a crucial step toward developing a positive body image. You have the power to change the way you see, feel, and think about your body.
- Focus on your positive qualities, skills, and talents, which can help you accept and appreciate your whole self
- Say positive things to yourself every day.
- Avoid negative self-talk.
- Focus on appreciating and respecting what your body can do, which will help you to feel more positive about it.
- Set positive, health-focused goals rather than weight-related ones, which are more beneficial for your overall well-being.
- Avoid comparing yourself to others, accept yourself as a whole, and remember that everyone is unique.
- Unfollow or unfriend people who trigger negative body image thoughts and feelings on social media.
Getting help
If you feel that you or someone in your life may be experiencing body image or eating concerns, seek professional help. Professional support can help you change harmful beliefs and behaviors and establish greater acceptance of your body.
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