Self-Esteem and Body Image

in Adolescents

Defining Self-EsteemSelf-esteem

Individual’s sense of his/her worth; extent to which a person values, approves of, or appreciates himself/herself

Self-conceptmore global sense of self-worth

Self-efficacyOne’s belief that one has the ability to complete or accomplish a particular task

Body Image

Linked to self-esteem and self-conceptShaped by past experiences

Positive or Negative

Affects Boys and girls

What Is Body Image?

Relates to how you feel about your body and what you think your body look like to others

Formed at an early ageInfluenced by our parents, caregivers, peers and life experiences

Every body is different • Ideal body weight is the weight that allows

us to feel strong and energetic and lets us lead a healthy life

Effect on Early Childhood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOHbtM9463c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAyD-Hm6y44

How do I know if I suffer from Body Image issues?

Do you…Weigh or measure yourself daily or moreAllow the number on the scale to determine how you feel about yourselfUnder eat when with others and over eat when by yourselfRestrict food intake all day and overeat on weekendsHave a closet full of clothes in different sizesBelieve that all of your life’s problems would be solved if only you were thinFeel guilty and ashamed when you eat anything other than diet foodFind yourself constantly critical of your body or specific body partsAre waiting to be thinner before beginning any new activity like exercising, dating, getting a part time job etc…

Body Projects

In the 20th century, North American girls have made their bodies “projects” as a form of self-definition and self-expression.As the female body has become more and more exposed in the media (particularly in film) the demands on beauty and dietary regimens have increased.

A brief history:1920s—the century of slimming; college women began dieting,flapper image in vogue

1930s—modern bra comes into existence; prior to this it was a camisole, store manufacturing of clothes rather than homemade; girls are made to adapt bodies to clothes rather than the other way around

More…

1960s—dieting becomes a persistent preoccuation, rather than episodic; girls start dieting at 9 or 10 insteadof 15

1980s—smaller bikinis, and the “jeaning of America”; all promoted leaner thighs (NO thunder thighs); hair is also a major focus

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1990s—piercings!;

what used to be exotic and more characteristic of primitive people becomes the latest form of self expression

2000s—???

Slim and toned bodies

Tattoos/piercings

Lasik vision correction

Teeth whitening/cosmetic Surgery

Research on Media Exposure

A 2005 study showed exposure to models (ultra thin or average size) resulted in lower body satisfaction and lower self-esteem in girls aged 11-16.

A 2003 study of female undergraduates showed that both magazine and TV exposure to thin ideals were related to body dissatisfaction.

In a 2005 study of the relationship between television viewing and body attitudes on 1,500 eighth through eleventh grade boys and girls, the following was found:

girls considered themselves as more overweight than boysboys watched more TV than girls but watched sports, entertainment, and information shows for enjoyment while girls watched soap operas and music videos and did so for social learning purposeswatching soap operas was related to drive for thinness for boys and girlswatching music videos was not related to any body image variable for girls, but was related to drive for muscularity for boys

Positive Body Image

Realistic perception of the body

Understand that healthy, attractive bodies come in many shapes and sizes, and that physical appearance says very little about character or value

Assessment of the body is separate from a sense of self-esteem

Negative body image

Body dysmorphic disorder• Over-preoccupation with an “imagined”

physical defect in appearance • Usually nose, skin, or hair• Anxiety and/or depression

Muscle dysmorphia (bigorexia)• Over-preoccupation with the perception or

feeling that one’s muscles are too small or too weak

• Spend unrealistic amounts of time working out in the gym, and yet they don’t feel “good enough”

Positive and Negative Body Image

People with positive body image exhibit

• Self-confidence, energy, vitality and positive self-appraisal

• Feelings of attractiveness and beauty

• Trust and respect for their bodies

• Freedom of expression with their bodies, not dependent on weight

People with negative body image describe

• Dissatisfaction with their physical appearance

• Belief that their appearance is being scrutinized and evaluated by others

• Excessive emphasis on physical appearance in how they evaluate themselves

• Distressing preoccupation with their bodies

• Feelings of shame and/or embarrassment

What Are Some Factors That Affect Body Image?

Standards set by society and the culture that surrounds usComments from family, friends, and others about our bodies, their bodies, and other people’s bodiesSelf-esteem (view our bodies and evaluate ourselves)History of abuse, teasing, life changes, and physical changes that may be a result of puberty, medical problems, surgery or sports injuriesImages of idealized versus normal bodies

Boosting a Body Image?

What are three ways to boost body image?

How can you change your body type?

If you know people who are always comparing themselves to others in terms of appearance, what could you do or say to help?

How could participating in physical activity contribute to positive body image?

Exposure to Mass Media and Weight Concerns

Girls between Grades 5 and 1269% reported that magazine pictures influence their idea of the perfect body shape47% reported wanting to lose weight because of magazine picturesGirls who were frequent readers of fashion magazines were two to three times more likely than infrequent readers

To diet to lose weight because of a magazine article To exercise to lose weight because of a magazine articleTo feel that magazines influence what they believe is the ideal body shape

Dove Self-Esteem Fund

Think critically about the media and about how much the media work to influence people of all ages

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHqzlxGGJFo

The Power of Advertising

Advertising is the most influential media in our culture

It reflects our daydreams, affects what we eat, what we wear, how we look and play.

It is ALL AROUND US!

Perfection

Women in Advertising

• Media portrays women in debilitating, demeaning and inaccurate ways

• It presents women as flawless, decorative objects, and creates unrealistic expectations for women

Women are Decorative/Sex Objects

Cultivating Images of Thinness

• In advertising, women receive more messages about slimness and staying in shape than men do

• Thinness is associated with good health and attractiveness

•In fact, images of thinness are a major cause of the eating disorders.

Thin is BeautifulThinness is Associated with Health

Magazine Models

•Don’t believe everything that you see and read!

Real or Not?

Real Not

Facts!

• there are 3 BILLION women who don’t look like super models and only 8 who do

•Marilyn Monroe wore a size 12 (that would make her a PLUS size model today)

• If shop mannequins were real women, they’d be too thin to menstruate

• models in magazines are airbrushed – they’re not perfect

• 20 years ago, models weighed 8% less than the average women. Today, they weigh 23% less

How to improve body image…1. Celebrate our natural sizes – enjoy the diversity of our

body shapes

2. Become informed and recognize and challenge myths and misperceptions about body image

3. Challenge weight prejudice. Challenge the media.

4. Boycott the diet industry

5. Educate others around the issues of weight prejudice and set point theory

6. Surround yourself with a range of realistic body images

7. Surround yourself with positive people who build you up, not tear you down

8. Positive affirmations – learning to love yourself is a process, it takes time to truly love the skin you are in

Body Myths

Myth #1: Overeating Causes OverweightAnimal research suggests at least 51 causes of overweight, including genetic, metabolic and other environmental factors.

Myth # 2: Dieting is Effective Clinical studies show that up to 95% of dieters regain the weight lost, usually within the first year. (yo-yo dieters…) Myth #3: Dieting is Healthy In addition to inadequate nutrition, dieting has been implicated in the development of weakness, fatigue, binge eating, bulimia, weight gain and obesity. (Don’t diet, make lifestyle changes!!!)

Myth # 4: Everyone Can Be Slim Many researchers are suggesting that the body has a "set point" or biological control for the amount fat in the body; weight is determined predominately by genetics and early nutrition.