It takes all kinds of people to make the world as beautiful as it is. Happy, confident, outgoing, overweight people are part of it, too. It is great to have a positive self-image and accept your body weight, but you should never give up trying to be fit. Your health is in constant danger from various chronic conditions and diseases if you have a higher BMI (Body Mass Index) than is recommended. The quality of life gets affected if one is not healthy. So the love you have for yourself should be translated into making yourself fitter and stronger through regular exercise and nutritious food.
Healthy Body Image
Body image comprises your beliefs, thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and how you treat your body and appearance. The image that we have of ourselves influences our mental, physical, and social health. Persons with eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia place a high value on their body shape and weight, thereby demeaning their self -worth. However, not everybody with a negative body image has eating disorders. It can also develop due to obesity, muscularity, sexual functioning, scars, visible facial or body differences, disability, and changes in the body due to medical procedures or disease.
A person with a healthy body image accepts himself/herself as he/she is while going about his/her daily business, whether social or professional. They don’t compare themselves with the unrealistic standards of models and actors. Though having a positive body image does not ensure good mental or physical health, it does protect against poor self -esteem and irregular eating patterns. Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphic disorder can also be prevented if one has a positive outlook towards oneself.
Body Image and the Media
The media, which comprises television, movies, the internet, video games, magazines, etc., constantly feeds us the ideal body size, shape, and weight through its models, actors, etc. It is up to us to appreciate them and their hard work in maintaining the perfect figure, but not get too influenced by them, as this perfection is not required in all fields.
Good health is more important than having a perfect body. Negative body image may bring about discontentment, low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. A person may be hit with a serious mental health condition like body dysmorphic disorder, in which he/she gets preoccupied with their appearance and its flaws.
Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia are complex, serious mental health illnesses which are caused by biological and psychological reasons and also by negative body image.
Body Image, Obesity and the “THE HEALTH” at “EVERY SIZE “ MOVEMENT
The standard size presented in the media is making a lot more people feel obese, with their BMI being on the higher side. Weight-related stigma is leading them towards depression because even in social settings, they are being discriminated against. This is leading to following extreme diets and vigorous exercise and sometimes even bariatric surgery. It is difficult to maintain the weight loss, especially if it has happened due to some tough plans, as a result of which the weight returns, leading to self-loathing.
I emphasize the acceptance of all body shapes, sizes, and weights without shaming any individual. There maybe number of reasons for a person to be overweight or obese and secondly not all of those overweight or obese people maybe unhealthy. On the other hand, not all people with a perfect weight or body size may be healthy. So whatever the weight or size of an individual may be, they should not be discriminated against. This emphasis should be on :
- Weight inclusivity and acceptance
- Health enhancement through equal opportunity everywhere
- Weight stigma and bias should be acknowledged
- Flexible. Individualized, intuitive eating should be promoted without focusing on weight control
- Enjoyable physical activity should be supported, promoted, and available to all according to their age, abilities, and interests
Changing the focus from weight loss to overall health may bring a positive effect on body image. Hence, an individual’s self-worth will not be dependent on his weight only.
Developing Healthy Body Image
The awareness that media promotes unrealistic standards of size and beauty is the first step towards developing a healthier body image.
Taking into account one’s blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol and enjoying a physical activity regularly improves one’s mood thereby promoting a positive self-image.
Parents should encourage self-acceptance by not criticizing food habits, body weight, or shape at all times. Poor body esteem followed by frequent dieting and self -depreciating talk should be frowned upon. Instead, acknowledge your positive traits and the healthy parts of your body without comparing yourself with anyone.
These changes can sometimes be difficult to follow. So take help, whenever required, from a family member or a professional who will help you cope with a negative body image. However, qualified help should be sought immediately if a serious mental health disorder needs to be treated. If a person is suffering from depression, anxiety, or an eating disorder, professional advice should be followed so that the problem can be nipped in the bud.
Love “thyself “ is a motto that we should all follow, but it should not be at the cost of endangering one’s health. So while it is important to have a positive body image of oneself, it is equally important to have a fit, healthy body no matter what shape or size we may have, which in any case may vary from one individual to another due to several reasons. So the emphasis should always be on consumption of nutritious food and regular exercise.