Why body positivity?
Negative body image is a main component in a variety of health problems such as depression, obesity, and disordered eating. Negative body image refers to body dissatisfaction and obsession and investment in his or her's physical appearance. This website aims to promote body positivity in young men and women, and give some ideas for prevention and intervention methods at home, at school, and with friends.
There has been an increased focus on the Thin-Ideal in our society, which leads to internalization of this ideal. Parents, friends, and the media reinforce this ideal in young women through their comments and actions such as teasing regarding weight, encouraging dieting, and the glorification of ultra-slender celebrities. When you encourage the thin-ideal, you encourage unhealthy eating habits, which can lead to eating disorders.
Women aren't the only ones with body dissatisfaction. There has been a shift in the cultural ideals in male bodies as well. Young men are under pressure to have lean, well-toned, muscular build, and they are becoming more preoccupied with weight and image. This can lead to negative outcomes such as taking anabolic steroids and human growth hormones, which is dangerous to their health. Dissatisfaction can lead to low self-esteem and self-worth, and the development of eating issues.
Negative body image is a main component in a variety of health problems such as depression, obesity, and disordered eating. Negative body image refers to body dissatisfaction and obsession and investment in his or her's physical appearance. This website aims to promote body positivity in young men and women, and give some ideas for prevention and intervention methods at home, at school, and with friends.
There has been an increased focus on the Thin-Ideal in our society, which leads to internalization of this ideal. Parents, friends, and the media reinforce this ideal in young women through their comments and actions such as teasing regarding weight, encouraging dieting, and the glorification of ultra-slender celebrities. When you encourage the thin-ideal, you encourage unhealthy eating habits, which can lead to eating disorders.
Women aren't the only ones with body dissatisfaction. There has been a shift in the cultural ideals in male bodies as well. Young men are under pressure to have lean, well-toned, muscular build, and they are becoming more preoccupied with weight and image. This can lead to negative outcomes such as taking anabolic steroids and human growth hormones, which is dangerous to their health. Dissatisfaction can lead to low self-esteem and self-worth, and the development of eating issues.
What is an eating disorder?
Binge Eating Disorder "Binge eating disorder is defined as recurring episodes of eating significantly more food in a short period of time than most people would eat under similar circumstances, with episodes marked by feelings of lack of control." This includes eating quickly, even when the person is not hungry. He or she may have feelings of guilt, embarrassment, or disgust and may try to hide this behavior. Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia nervosa is "characterized by distorted body image and excessive dieting that leads to severe weight loss with a pathological fear of becoming fat." This includes restricting calorie intake, extreme weight maintenance, and obsessive characteristics. Bulimia Nervosa "Bulimia nervosa is characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate behaviors such as self-induced vomiting to avoid weight gain" This includes any sort of purging behavior such as laxative use. Muscle Dysmorphia Being "pathologically preoccupied with his or her degree of muscularity." This may cause severe distress, abuse of anabolic steroids and other substances, and other impaired functioning. There is a preoccupation that the individual is not sufficiently large or muscular, so their lives are consumed with weightlifting, dieting, and other such activities. Anorexia Athletica Anorexia Athletica, while it is not yet defined in standard mental health diagnostic manuals, is characterized by excessive and obsessive exercise, which is often accompanied by moderate to sever caloric restriction. |
Eating disorder facts:
- Up to 24 million people in the U.S. suffer from an eating disorder. - 20% of people suffering from anorexia will prematurely die from it. - In judged sports the prevalence of eating disorders is 13%, which is 10% higher than in other sports. - Over 50% of teenage girls and about 30% of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors. - Only 1 in 10 men and women with eating disorders receive treatment. |