A Healthy “Weight & See” Attitude

What Is Body Image?

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Your perception of how your body looks forms your body image. Regardless of how closely your figure resembles your perception; your body image can affect your self-esteem, behavior, and relationships with others.

Why Are So Many People Unhappy with Their Bodies?

In modern American society, thinness is a determinant of physical attractiveness. The current fashion ideal is significantly thinner than the actual physique of most Americans. Most women feel they should lose weight even if they are not considered overweight by medical standards. Men, to a lesser degree, share this body dissatisfaction, which is based more on fashion norms than health recommendations.

Lean bodies are also associated with valued characteristics including success, energy, self-discipline, and wealth. Excess fat on the other hand, may be interpreted as a sign of laziness, ignorance, or lack of self control. These generalizations promote discrimination against people who are considered "unnecessarily" overweight. The prejudice also sparks anxiety and self-contempt in people who are normal or underweight but believe they should be thinner.

Body Image and the Media

The media promotes the widespread belief that attractive people are lean people. Celebrities, such as fashion models, actors, actresses, and television journalists, are generally thinner than the average American. These media personalities project an image of confidence, beauty, and success which may seem to be inextricably linked to the thinness of their bodies.

Can I Attain an "Ideal" Shape?

Your body shape is determined by a number of factors. Some, such as calorie intake and energy expenditure, can be manipulated. Others, such as your frame size, the way you store fat, and other genetic variables, are beyond your control. Many people simply lack the raw materials to build the current "ideal" body. Thus, it is important to be realistic when determining how you want to look and how much you want to change your lifestyle in order to attain your desired appearance.

How Can I Improve My Body Image?

• Examine the degree to which your self-esteem depends upon your appearance. Although it may seem natural to wish you looked like a fashion model, basing your happiness on this desire may lead to failure. Unrealistic goals can prevent you from exploring ways to enhance your life.

• Broaden your perspective. Talking to people you trust, reading books about body image, or writing about your fears and perceptions in a journal, may enable you to recognize irrational thought patterns and put body image into perspective.

• Be active. Regular physical activity enhances muscle tone and improves self-esteem.

• Recognize that "fat-ism" is a form of discrimination similar to sexism and racism. Assumptions that body shape determines personality and success are incorrect and unjust. Combat discrimination when possible. Question assumptions and generalizations which promote the belief that one “type” of person is better than another.