Body Image Dissatisfaction Overview

A positive or negative perception of our body counts for up to a third of our self-esteem, with physical appearance being an important determinant of peer acceptance for an adolescent male. In recent years our culture has helped to increase the prevalence of body image dissatisfaction among our youth. It is clear that society's view of a good-looking male is tall, broad shouldered and muscular.

Research conducted in 1972 indicated that 36% of men reported dissatisfaction with their mid-torso; by 1996 this figure had risen to 63%. Discontent with the overall appearance rose from 15 to 43% in males.

Men with eating disorders tend to display a perfectionist attitude with a strong fixation on appearance and athletic performance.

Increased vulnerability to body image dissatisfaction could be due to the interaction of three factors:

·        medical, biological and genetic causes (such as eating disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

·        personality or psychological traits (such as excessive shyness, social withdrawal)

·        life experiences (emotional neglect, rejection, bullying or feelings of worthlessness)

Adolescents with a poor body image have problems with their perception. A negative view of the physical body, a common occurrence during the physical changes of puberty, causes associations, interpretations of situations and impressions to be negative.

Body Image Dissatisfaction is perpetuated by Body Shame, usually consisting of a mixture of emotions: 

·        disgust

·        anxiety

·        depression