Body Image Body image reflects how we see our own body, and how we think, feel, and act towards it. Thus, body image is generally defined in terms of four dimensions- perceptual, cognitive, affective, and behavioral

Perceptual dimension Picture of our own body that we form in our mind. How we see our bodies when we look in a mirror

Cognitive dimension Evaluating our body in terms of both its appearance and function. This includes beliefs about the attractiveness, strength, and fitness of the body

Affective dimension Feelings experienced in relation to the body’s appearance and function. Can be positive feelings such as comfort or pride or negative feelings such as anxiety or disgust

Behavioural dimension Things we do that reflect our positive or negative perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about our bodies, such as the type of clothes we wear or the activities we participate in

Healthy Body Image Reflected in positive self-evaluations in the four body image dimensions. Individuals with a healthy body image have accurate perceptions about their body shape and size as well as having positive thoughts about their body.

Body Image Disturbances When a person has a negative perception of their body in any or all of the body image dimensions. Body image disturbances are seen when the body image size or shape differs from one’s actual shape and size.

Gender Differences in Body Image Females Most want to be thinner Ideals for attractivenes are being ultra-thin, shapely, toned, and firm Can lead to dieting, compulsive exercise and even the extreme of plastic surgery in order to conform to western society’s ideal female form Males Most want to be heavier in terms (lean muscle mass.) The rise in feminism has left males uncertain of their roles leading to “hypermasculine pursuits” (e.g body building) to define what it means to be a man Media pushes males to strive for an idealized, masculine identity requiring suppression of emotions and an intimidating persona or physique.

Gender Differences in Body Image T he large discrepancy between women’s actual and desired body helps to explain why so many women want a body that is much thinner than what is considered normal or healthy. In contrast, the much smaller discrepancy between men’s actual and ideal bodies help to explain why body image dissatisfaction is not yet as prevalent in men. Men tend to desire body weights that are similar to their actual weights.

Why Body Image is Important? Healthy body image is related to a better psychological well-being, better self-esteem and lowered risk for depression and anxiety. Body image is also related to physical well- being, as it can make one engage in either health-damaging or health-promoting behaviors. Body image disturbances are a risk factor for developing eating disorders.

Health-Damaging Behaviours Anorexia Nervosa- Individual maintains a low body weight through the starvation, excessive exercise, or other means (such as diet pills or diuretic drugs) Bulimia Nervosa- Consists of binge eating and self- induced vomiting or use of medications such as laxatives “Megarexia” - a condition in which male bodybuilders obsessively perceive themselves as too fat or too thin and excessively exercise or use steroid drugs.