Previous studies have shown that 1 in 3 college students report being concerned about their weight and body shape. College students are at high risk for body dissatisfaction for many reasons – biologically, socially and emotionally. Furthermore, both male and female college students report body image concerns at a similar amount.
Body image can be defined as “the subjective picture or mental image of one's own body,” though there are many factors that contribute to the way we see ourselves including:
We begin internalizing messages about body image from a young age, leading to either a positive/healthy body image or a negative/unhealthy one. This is important as body dissatisfaction is the best-known contributor to eating disorder development.
A negative body image, or body dissatisfaction, is a distorted view of one’s shape. It involves feelings of shame, anxiety and self-consciousness as well as a feeling that their body is flawed compared to others, which can lead to feelings of depression.
A positive body image, or body satisfaction, is a clear, true perception of body size and shape – seeing the parts of your body as they really are. Body satisfaction involves:
The National Eating Disorders Association gives 10 Steps to Positive Body Image:
We live in a culture where we are bombarded with information about diets and which foods to eat/not eat in order to lose weight or look a certain way. Speaking up and letting others know that you are uncomfortable with it is a good place to start changing the conversation around food and weight.
We all have different genetic makeups and cultural traits, as well as different needs to keep us at our healthiest self. Ultimately there is no “ideal” body weight as just one number or range would not be able to encompass all of our differences. It is important to remember these things for your own “ideal” body: