Negative Body Image
Negative Body Image
Where does it come from and what can I do about it?
Where does it come from and what can I do about it?
What is Body Image?
Body image refers to the way in which one thinks and feels about his or her physical appearance. Negative body image is closely linked with low self esteem, eating disorders and depression. Positive body image, on the other hand, is associated with confidence and high self esteem.
1. Low Self esteem
People with low self-esteem are often not comfortable with who they are as a person. Their perceptions of themselves are largely based on how they believe other people might perceive them. This can cause preoccupation with one’s physical appearance, and lead to negative body image. Additionally, negative body image can further lower one’s self esteem, and serves as a maintenance factor that reinforces the negative body image.
4. Looking different from peers
Teenagers who look different from their peers often develop a negative body image. This may be because they have a larger frame, or their size or shape is different from their peers. Particularly during puberty, the body goes through numerous changes that make teenagers more conscious and aware of their bodies