Little known facts about the importance of self image
It is not a surprise to most people that health studies point to
popular culture as the author of the body image that has
It corresponded to the self-image and well-being of women AND men.
What may surprise you is that this is not a new phenomenon.
Is the slim look of runway and magazine model rails a new
obsession that has started young women and women on a path
towards hunger, malnutrition and disorders such as anorexia
and bulimia?
Not really.
The western world created a popular culture of ‘you can never be
lose weight ‘as early as the 1920s when flapper styles made women
starve and exercise their bodies too much to achieve flat chests,
androgynous look that was popular at the time.
The fuller figure reappeared during the depression, but
quickly reversed in the 1960s, equating thinness with
Physical beauty.
Studies on self-image indicate that women tend to consider
themselves heavier than they really are. This distorted body
The image is linked to unhealthy dietary practices such as anorexia and
bulimia.
Although distorted body image affects men and women of all ages
ranks, it is middle and upper class women who are most commonly
affected by thinking that they are too heavy and need to lose weight.
Nine-year-old girls follow the paths traced by
mothers, sisters and others.
On the other hand, men with body image problems often feel that
are too thin and the use of steroids by young people trying to build muscle
mass displays that are also negatively affected by the media
representations of the body.
You learn the bad image of yourself. This can be clearly illustrated with a
study conducted by WHO with Canadian students. The study showed
that children’s confidence was drastically reduced through the
preteen years. The percentage of 11-year-old boys and girls who
felt confident all the time it was 47% and 35% respectively. By
By age 15, the percentage dropped to 30% for boys and a disappointing
14% for girls.
What are we teaching our children?
At a Health Canada appointment based on a research program for
VITALITY the following report was made: “Thinness in the West
cultures is associated not only with success and sophistication,
but with virtues of character. On the contrary, obesity is the opposite
of all these things and, particularly in the case of women, it is
associated with failure and collapse of self-discipline. “
Self-image is linked to several factors, only one of which is the body
Photography. Self-image is part of self-awareness and starts early
childhood, even before speech. As we become adults, many tie their
self-image to factors such as job success, relationships, and
abilities. Body image: if a person has a negative view of
themselves physically – can be one of the most dramatic
influences.
Health Canada’s findings show that although self-image can be
subject to change throughout our lives, our “fundamental sense of
feeling worthy or unworthy (self-esteem) remains relatively
stable. “This means that it is when children are still young
that the biggest impact is on their future self-image. Creating
a safe, welcoming and loving environment may be the best
protection against negative body image and low self-esteem.
The information in this article is for educational purposes.
solely and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure medically
disease. Consult a physician before beginning any
health program.