How To Support Body Image

Poor or distorted body image refers to an unrealistic perception of one’s body and a concern for how others may see them. This can affect someone’s mood, self-esteem, confidence, and motivation.

Body dissatisfaction is a sub-component of body image. This can be an outcome of persistent negative thoughts and feelings about your body. It is an internal, emotional, and cognitive process but is just as easily influenced by external factors such as societal beauty standards and unwanted/unnecessary comments about your body.

 Body dysmorphic disorder (commonly known as body dysmorphia) differs again. This is an obsessive body image disturbance which can leave an individual repetitively over-emphasising and fixating on parts of their body, often times impacting their social, emotional, educational, and occupational health. This pathological disorder is very closely linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

 There are four major sub-categories of body image:

Perceptual body image: The way you see your body. It is not always correct.
Affective body image: The way you feel about your body. These may be positive or negative feelings but often summarise the amount of satisfaction or dissatisfaction you feel about your weight, size, and individual body parts.
Cognitive body image: The way you think about your body. This can lead to preoccupation with weight and body shape.
Behavioural body image: The behaviours you engage in as a result of your body image. You may isolate yourself or engage in unhealthful behaviours as a means to change your appearance.

People who are most at risk of poor body image, body dissatisfaction or body dysmorphia include:

·      Late childhood and adolescent children.

·      Older adults experiencing physical signs of aging.

·      Women.

·      People who experience gender dysphoria.

·      Anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+.

·      Anyone at a higher weight and impacted by societal pressures.

·      People who experience low self-esteem and/or depression.

·      Anyone who has experienced bulling or teasing, specifically to do with physical appearances.

·      People with a perfectionist and/or high achieving personality.

·      People who have had a parental or guardian figure who has role modelled dieting behaviours and/or discussed weight and their bodies in a negative light, frequently.

The good news?
There are many areas we can gently support poor body image and body dissatisfaction to improve self-esteem and self-perception. These include:

·      Avoiding negative self-talk.

·      Repeating positive affirmations to yourself regularly.

·      Focusing on your positive qualities and skills.

·      Limiting your exposure to highly edited, filtered, curated, and styled photos and media content.

·      Focus on your body’s function and have appreciation and respect for what it can do.

·      Have positive, health-related goals as opposed to aesthetic, physical ones.

·      Diversify the type of bodies you see online.

·      Avoid buying into the diet industry (fad diets, weight-loss supplements, detox teas etc.).

·      Avoid comparing yourself to others.

·      Unfollow anyone on social media who doesn’t make you feel good about yourself.

·      Move and nourish your body daily in a way that feels good for you.

·      Practice regular self-care, mindfulness, and kindness towards self.

·      Allow yourself enough time to heal.

·      Work with a professional to support yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally.

If you are struggling with your body image, please reach out to your health professional for support.