Body Image

 A picture in our mind’s eye  Belief about how others perceive us  How we feel living in our bodies

What is the “Ideal” body? Different standards for male and female Different for various ethnic and cultural groups Defined by society, community, family... What is “Ideal” has changed over time...

Body Image Throughout History  Prehistoric Fertility goddess Wide hips highly desirable

Body Image Throughout History 1400’s Botticelli’s Birth of Venus Art depicted beauty – soft and curvaceous

Body Image Throughout History 1500’s Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa 1600’s Rubens’ Garden of Love

Body Image Throughout History 1880’s Plump body, pale complexion Representing wealth, abundance of food & refined lifestyle Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon

Body Image Throughout History  Early 1900’s Corseted, hour-glass look

Body Image Throughout History  1920’s Era of the flat-chested, slim-hipped flapper

Body Image Throughout History 1950’s  Full-figured shapes of Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield

Body Image Throughout History 1960’s  The gaunt Twiggy look

Body Image Throughout History Miss America was normal weight in the 1920’s through early 60’s Underweight since the mid 60’s

Body Image Throughout History 1970’s and 1980’s  Taller, thinner look  No visible body fat  Muscles highly toned from hours of working out

Body Image Throughout History Early 1990’s  Waif-like figure of Kate Moss  Pre-teen look in adult women

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Body Image Throughout History 2000’s  Most girls and women do NOT look like this!

Body Image  models and actresses often portray unrealistic thinness

Body Image  The “Ideal” Male Tall  6’  Broad shoulders/large muscles

Body Image Historical Male Body Image Michelangelo's David

Teens’ body image influenced by Role models Peers Friends Parents Advertising

Impact of the Media

Technology impacts body image Before airbrushing After airbrushing a - tidied and highlighted hair b - reduced shine from skin c - cleaned up eyebrows d - changed eye color from brown to blue/applied "makeup" and whitened eyes e - lessened bags/shadows under eyes f - made lips fuller g - tidied jumper

Reality versus Illusion Actress Jamie Lee Curtis poses for “More” Magazine as she really is and with retouching, Sept 2002.

Reality versus Illusion "Even I don't wake up looking like Cindy Crawford." - Cindy Crawford

Body Acceptance Men have a more positive body image and overlook flaws in appearance more than women. Do you agree... Women are judged more on appearance than men? Society’s standard of female beauty is higher and more inflexible?

Teens’ body image influenced by Role models Peers Friends Parents Advertising

What messages do you get? From your family? From your friends? From yourself? About the “ideal” body? About your body?

Even the toys you grew up with...

If Barbie were real

If G.I. Joe were real...

What price is the “perfect” car? Lamborghini Murcielago

What price is the “perfect” car? $281,100

What price is the “perfect” body? $$ Cosmetic surgery $$ $$ Personal Trainers $$ $$ Hairdressers $$ $$ Make-up artists $$ $$ Wardrobe $$ Pretty “high maintenance.” Is it worth it ??

What is Your Make and Model?  What would it be like if we all drove the same car?  Why do we strive to all look the same?  Isn’t uniqueness better?  What are your “signature” features?

What is Your Make and Model?  How do you define “attractive”?  How can we appreciate all our bodies do for us?  How can we respect external differences?  How can we emphasize internal qualities?

What are your first impressions?

The “25 cent Best Friend” Fun to hang with Stylish hair Lean, not fat Dependable No pimples Keeps my secrets Popular Rich parents Wears name brands Honest Straight A student Sense of humor No put downs Athletic Accepts me Has cool car

The “25 cent Best Friend” Fun to hang with Stylish hair Lean, not fat Dependable No pimples Keeps my secrets Popular Rich parents Wears name brands Honest Straight A student Sense of humor No put downs Athletic Accepts me Has cool car

Does poor body image matter? Body image dissatisfaction affects our: mental health eating behavior physical activity behaviors weight management

Does body image matter? Poor body image and preoccupation with weight is a risk factor for the development of eating disorders. People who feel good about their bodies and respect and care for themselves, who feed themselves well and enjoy being active, are unlikely to develop eating disorders.