Body image is the mental representation an individual creates of themselves, not only the perception of their physical self but also the thoughts and feelings that result from that perception. Nevertheless, it may or may not be any relation to how one actually appears. Furthermore, it also involves how a person sees themselves, compared to the standards society has set.
Body image is determined by 4 factors : how you see your body (body image), how you feel about your body (affective body image), what you think about your body (cognitive body image), what you do about your body (behavioral body image). Those factors are influenced by feedback you receive from peers, family members, coaches, and the society.
Besides, a negative body image (with dissatisfaction about your body and preoccupation with body shape or weight) can lead to eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia. Anorexia is, according to the DSM 5, when someone loses a lot of weight, doesn’t have their periods anymore (amenorrhea) and doesn’t eat when they are hungry. Anorexia is the third-most-common illness among teenagers, 1 to 2% of the teen population, with two peaks : 12-13 year-old and 18-20 year-old. And sadly, the second cause of death among the 15-24 years old.
Moreover, a negative body image, especially for teenagers, has a lot of causes in our society today. The main risks factors are thin ideal internalisation, peer pressure and bullying. On one hand, in the private eye, this problem starts in families, with a lot of comments toward mostly young girls’ bodies, we have an example in Gerwing’s “Lady Bird” when in a fitting room the mom said to her daughter that she would be prettier in the dress if she was thinner. On the other hand, in a more public space, the modeling industry is very toxic for body image, with ads like Victoria Secret’s “Perfect Body”, with only really tall and skinny women on the poster, or with the comments of Karl Lagerfeld about the singer Adele, when he said that he wouldn’t take her as a model because she was too fat. Now, with social media, this issue is even worse. From celebrities, like the Kardashian, selling “detox tea” that makes people sick, to the recent body shaming of the young singer Billie Eilish (18 years old). Instagram takes a big part in promoting unrealistic bodies (with filters, retouch pictures and advantages angles) and body shaming other women (for example, the body shaming about her breast of a young French influencer). Social comparison is now everywhere, and social media gives a fake image of what someone’s life and body are.
Whereas, a positive body image occurs when a person can accept, appreciate and respect their body. A positive body image is linked positively to good self-esteem, self acceptance and healthy behaviours. It can be increased with social support.
Therefore, in a wish to promote health and healthy eating behaviors, France chooses to regulate the minimum IMC of models at 18, where anorexia touches 5 to 8% of the population (same for dancers), against 0,5 to 1 % of the general adult population. Furthermore, some brands, like Savage x Fenty by Rihanna have more diverse models like pregnant women, people with disabilities, plus size female and male models (and not only diversity of body type but also skin colors). This new show competes with victoria secret view of the woman’s body. We can also see this wave of “body positive” state of mind on social media. For example, Celeste Barber talks about the double standards with parodies of celebs pictures (show a more common body in those fits and positions). On Tik Tok, there are trending accounts like the one of “@xobrooklynne”, who dance in crop top to respond to body shamer’s comments. Or the account of Denise Mercedes, with the idea of “style not size”, she (plus size) poses in the same outfits as her best friend (medium size), to show that plus size can wear what they want.
We know that a negative body image is dangerous for the mental and physical health, but fake expectations and critiques of bodies everywhere make it difficult. We have more positive models and expectations, but we have to choose carefully who we are following on social media and who we listen to (this choice is harder for younger people who are more influenceable by negative body images messages). It’s the little comments that hurt the most and stay in people’s heads so we need to be careful with what we say to other people (keep in mind the 30 seconds thing : if they can’t fix it in less than 30 seconds, don’t say anything).
References :
Bibliography :
– movie : Lady Bird
– positive tik tok accounts : @xobrooklynne ; @caro.gurdian ; @dessyraven4
– positive insta accounts : @jessicaemilyquinn ; @celestebarber ; @bodyposipanda ; @jameelajamilofficial