While body image concerns affect both boys and girls, research suggests that girls are more likely to be dissatisfied with their appearance and their weight than boys (24,25). In our survey, 46% of girls reported that their body image causes them to worry 'often' or 'always' compared to 25% of boys.
Personality traits: People with perfectionist tendencies, high achievers, 'black and white' thinkers, those who internalise beauty ideals more intensely, and those who frequently compare themselves to others are at higher risk of feeling dissatisfied with their body or appearance.
These studies generally found greater body dissatisfaction in females than in males (e.g. 29, 30, 46–49). Men (vs. women) seem to place less importance on their appearance (42, 50, 51) and report slightly higher levels of body appreciation (e.g. 45, 52–54).
Research has shown that for young children, attitudes about body shape and size may start as early as three or four years old. This trend continues into adolescence, with one Mental Health Foundation survey finding that among young people aged 13–19, 35% said their body image causes them to 'often' or 'always' worry.
Though feeling unsatisfied with our bodies and appearance is often more common among young women, body image concerns are relevant from childhood through to later life and affect both women and men. Body satisfaction and appreciation has been linked to better overall wellbeing and fewer unhealthy dieting behaviours.
Body image issues affect people of all ages, genders and across all cultures. Recent research suggests that 80 per cent of Australian women are dissatisfied with their bodies to some degree.
Why is a healthy body image important? Women with a positive body image are more likely to have good physical and mental health. Girls and women with negative thoughts and feelings about their bodies are more likely to develop certain mental health conditions, such as eating disorders and depression.
One study reports that at age thirteen, 53% of American girls are "unhappy with their bodies." This grows to 78% by the time girls reach seventeen.
It is estimated that approximately 2 percent of the population is affected by body dysmorphia. Unrealistic beauty standards lead to body dysmorphia, which is a mental health disorder developed in a person who immerses themselves in a sea of disappointment pertaining to their looks.
Oftentimes peer pressure is a factor in how children see themselves, including body image. Body image is a big part of your child's self-esteem. If children don't like the way they look or are dissatisfied with their bodies, their self-esteem will suffer, and low self-esteem can lead to depression and anxiety.
Poor body image is not just a female issue - many men are also dissatisfied with their body image. Poor body image in men can be linked to dieting, excessive exercising, eating disorders and steroid misuse.
Men and women are believed to differ in how influential and easily influenced they are: Men are thought to be more influential, and women more easily influenced.
Overall, the most attractive male body type is one that's strong, athletic, and healthy. Even better if that body also has nice arms and a muscular chest.
In general, people struggling with a negative body image are at a higher risk of developing: Mood disorders. Relationship problems. Self-harm tendencies.
It is important to combat negative body image because it can lead to depression, shyness, social anxiety and selfconsciousness in intimate relationships. Negative body image may also lead to an eating disorder.
Poor body image can lead to: Low self-esteem. Obsessively thinking about your body and appearance. Putting too much emphasis on your weight, shape or size.
One of the most significant toxic beauty standards is the idea of the 'perfect' body. The media often portrays a thin, toned body as the ideal, leading many people to engage in unhealthy behaviours such as extreme dieting, over-exercising, and even eating disorders.
Negative body images affect people of all ages, with 31% of teenagers and 35% of adults feeling depressed or ashamed because of how they perceive their bodies.
In South Korea, there is immense societal pressure to conform to the community and societal expectations placed on the individual. This is evident in the theorization of what influences both Korean men and women to want to strive to achieve a strict beauty standard.
The majority of people are unhappy with their bodies.
Only 6% of respondents strongly agree that they feel generally happy with their bodies. 60% of respondents say the way they feel about themselves is largely influenced by their weight, shape or size.
About half (51%) of Americans say they feel pressured to have a certain body type. Women (60%) are 18 percentage points more likely than men (42%) to say they feel completely or somewhat pressured to have a particular body type.
While body image concerns affect both boys and girls, research suggests that girls are more likely to be dissatisfied with their appearance and their weight than boys (24,25). In our survey, 46% of girls reported that their body image causes them to worry 'often' or 'always' compared to 25% of boys.
Don't Over-Compliment Their Looks
While compliments are great, insincere ones are generally pretty easy to see through, Troscianko said. So don't overdo it by telling your friend they're the most gorgeous person on the planet—even if you believe that's true, they'll likely brush off the comment immediately.
Essentially, the male ideal is an inverted pyramid with broad shoulders and small waist, while the female ideal is an hourglass with a small waist-to-hip ratio.