Body Image
Body image is an intricate subject matter that entirely depends on societal and personal perception. In definitive terms body image refers to someone's perception of their bodily self and the moods and judgments whether negative or positive that emerge from this perception. In the current society, four elements define body image. First, the personal view of one's body image. Personal opinion is not always accurate hence not always a reliable pointer. For instance, one might consider himself or herself as overweight even if it's not so (Saiphoo, & Vahedi, 2019). The second aspect of body image is the feelings one portrays towards their body image. How a person feels about his or her body image will dictate the levels of satisfaction experienced. For example, the shape of the nose and other body parts shape the attitude one has toward their body image. Thirdly, the thoughts one has about the body goes ahead to influence the body image. For example, some people tend to think that they will feel better if they become thin.
Against this background, it is evident that body image plays a central role in society and this is the main reason people are supposed to champion a positive body image. Whenever one accepts or come to terms with his or her body image, they appreciate their body more often. Positive body image nurtures a resilient personality hence making it hard for one to develop an eating disorder (Saiphoo, & Vahedi, 2019). More so, an effectual eating disorder inhibition program applies body positivity approaches as a way of improving the self-esteem and body image of its members. Also, the balance strategy of bodily activities and nourishment has been proven to improve body positivity among numerous people.
Self-esteem influences how individuals perceive themselves and usually penetrates and direct more than one element of life hence participating in the general happiness welfare of a person. Also, self-acceptance can make a person attain body comfortability and contentment due to less pressure that emerges from seeking validation from the outside world. Thus, one becomes more realistic and does not depend on validation from the media and other societal norms. One of the most basic sources of body image distortion and discontent are the negative moods and judgments one has towards their own body. Body discontent is an internal mechanism but numerous external factors impact it. For example friends, relatives, and even the work space can play a role in shaping body image discontent. The interaction of these external factors sometimes makes people eating disorders. Most of the time, body image leads to eating disorders because the intake of food is tied to how one perceives body image. Eating disorders are complex issues that rely on health and psychological diagnosis. The chance of coming up with more than one underlying reason causing eating disorders is difficult but a necessity in long run.
Eating disorders and body image are tied together and are often related. Body image anguish is normally an indication of an eating disorder. Even though not all people suffering from an eating disorder have a body image problem. However, most people with body image challenges suffer from eating disorders. The connection between an eating disorder and body image depends on how perceive their own body. For example, people with bulimia eat plenty of food to improve their body image. According to scientific investigation, 60% of adolescents do not like their body hence seek solace in either starving excessively eating. Sometimes people over-analyze their body which in turn leads to dissatisfaction. Subsequently, one's perception of the body is often impacted by physique and weight. In turn, people tend to be more sensitive and reprehensive of their bodily appearance. Gradually people start engaging in activities that change their body image. One of the consequences of trying to change body image is that it leads to extreme results such as anorexia or even bulimia.
References
Saiphoo, A. N., & Vahedi, Z. (2019). A meta-analytic review of the relationship between social media use and body image disturbance. Computers in human behavior, 101, 259-275.
Marengo, D., Longobardi, C., Fabris, M. A., & Settanni, M. (2018). Highly-visual social media and internalizing symptoms in adolescence: The mediating role of body image concerns. Computers in Human Behavior, 82, 63-69.
