ISSUES
: Body Confidence
Chapter 1: Body Image
2
body type, have an increased
risk of developing body
dissatisfaction
Ö
Friends and family who diet
and express body image
concerns
– role models
expressing
body
image
concerns and modelling weight
loss behaviours, can increase
the likelihood of an individual
developing body dissatisfaction
regardless of actual body type
Ö
Body size
– In our weight-
conscious society, larger body
size increases risk of body
dissatisfaction.
In
western
society,
body
dissatisfaction has become a
cultural norm.
Why is body dissatisfaction
a serious problem?
Body dissatisfaction is the top
ranked issue of concern for young
people, according to Mission
Australia (2011). Body image issues
have increased worldwide over
the last 30 years and do not only
concern young people but affect
people of all ages. This pervasive
problem is concerning because
overvaluing body image in defining
one’s self-worth is one of the risk
factors which makes some people
less resilient to eating disorders
than others. People experiencing
body dissatisfaction can become
fixated on trying to change their
body shape, which can lead to
unhealthy practices with food
and exercise. These practices
don’t usually achieve the desired
outcome (physically or emotionally)
and can result in intense feelings of
disappointment, shame and guilt
and, ultimately, increase the risk of
developing an eating disorder.
How can you improve your
body image?
While some aspects of your
appearance can be changed,
others, like your height, muscle
composition and bone structure
are genetically fixed. It is important
to understand that there is no right
or wrong when it comes to weight,
shape, size and appearance.
Challenging beauty ideals and
learning to accept your body shape
is a crucial step towards positive
body image.
While
changing
your
actual
appearance
can
be
counterproductive, improving your
body image is a constructive goal.
We have the power to change the
way we see, feel and think about our
bodies. Here are some helpful tips:
Ö
Focusing on your positive
qualities, skills and talents can
help you accept and appreciate
your whole self
Ö
Say positive things to yourself
every day
Ö
Avoid negative or berating self-
talk
Ö
Focusing on appreciating and
respecting what your body can
do will help you to feel more
positively about it
Ö
Setting positive, health-focused
goals rather than weight loss-
related ones is more beneficial
for your overall wellbeing
Ö
Admiring
others’
beauty
can improve your own body
confidence but it is important
to appreciate your own beauty,
avoid
comparing
yourself
to others, accept yourself
as a whole and remember
that everyone is unique and
differences are what make us
special
Ö
Remember, many media images
are unrealistic and represent a
minority of the population.
Programmes
that
effectively
increase positive body image focus
on reducing risk factors (e.g. thin
ideal internalisation, peer pressure,
bullying and ‘fat talk’, perfectionism)
and increasing protective factors
(e.g. self-esteem, social support,
non-competitive physical activity,
healthy eating behaviours and
attitudes, respect for diversity).
Getting help
If you feel dissatisfied with
your body or are developing
unhealthy eating or exercise habits
seek professional help. Some
counsellors and psychologists have
specialised knowledge in body
image. Professional support can
help guide you to change negative
beliefs and behaviours.
Ö
The above information is
reprinted with kind permission
from the National Eating
Disorders Collaboration. Please
visit
-
image for further information.
© National Eating Disorders
Collaboration 2016
