Body Image

We live in a society that is extremely pre-occupied by body image where we are bombarded everyday about how we should look, how we should dress, and how we should act.

What is Body Image? How you see yourself when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind.

Positive Body Image Having a vision of your body that is healthy and realistic. It is appreciating and valuing your natural shape and understanding that it’s the whole person that's important – not just his or her physical appearance.

What things influence your body image? Media Culture Family Friends Which one has a major influence on body image?

What qualities or characteristics does the media promote as “perfect” for men and women?

Males  Tall  Broad Shoulders  Muscles  White Teeth  6 pack  Dark/Tan  Fit/Trim Females  Small waist  White teeth  Beautiful hair  Tan  Fit/Trim  Big chest  Curves The media tells us that the male & female bodies have these certain qualities:

GI Joe: Then and Now 1965 If GI Joe were a 5’10’’ man he would have had a 44” chest and 12” biceps 2000 He would now have a 55” chest & 16” biceps Fact: The average male has a 37” chest and 12” biceps (

If Marilyn Monroe were alive today, she’d be considered too fat to model. Marilyn’s dress size in 1966: 14 Dress size of an average model today: 4

Barbie Little girls may want to look like Barbie when they grow up. Barbie’s measurements do not represent the measurements of the typical woman. If she were real, Barbie would be over 7 feet tall!! Barbie's weight would be 110 pounds.

Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin in the 1966 TV series. George Clooney, Chris O’Donnell and Alicia Silverstone as Batman, Robin, and Bat girl in Batman & Robin (1997). Compare Adam West and Burt Wards cloth fabric bat suit to George Clooney and Chris O’Donnell’s plastic bat armor. Emphasized chest muscles, wider bat shoulders, fake plastic six pack abs.

Disney classics/Children’s Stories In many children’s stories, the hero or heroine is described as attractive while the evil character often has a deformity or is unattractive or overweight.

“Miss America” Body Image – thin/fit, tall Make-up & Hair – professionally done Tips and tricks to their smile & teeth Charm school & many months of preparation. Swim-suit competition Eating habits

How realistic is it for someone to have the “perfect” body? Not very realistic! Less than 5% of the population has the genes and body chemistry that results in a body type like this. It’s like trying to make your size 9 foot fit into a size 7 shoe. It can’t be done without drastic, unnatural and unhealthy actions.

Body Image FACTS!! The average teenager watches 3-4 hours of TV each day. 1 out of every 4 commercials sends some sort of “attractiveness message” telling viewers what is or isn’t attractive. This means that the average teenager sees over 5,260 “attractiveness messages” a year.

Media messages influence our perception of our body. Dove Campaign: Take into consideration magazines, such as Cosmo, Seventeen, etc. – How do they influence your body image? The goal of the different forms of media is to make money by selling you products or services. It is interesting to note that for women, “normal” keeps getting thinner and thinner, whereas for men, “normal” means more muscular.

What are some steps to a positive body image? Surround yourself with positive people who like you for who you are and not just your physical looks. Develop a list of all the things you like about yourself. Become a critical viewer of media messages about bodies.

Positive Body Image Continued… Appreciate the things your body can do, such as running, dancing, breathing, and laughing. Be active everyday. Be realistic. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Wear comfortable clothes that make you feel good about your body.