HealthInfo Piki Te Ora Southern

Body image

Body image is a term that describes how you see, think and feel about your body and its shape.

People's bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Some people are taller than others, some people have broader shoulders than others and some people have curvier hips than others.

Most people have at times in their lives felt that they are too fat or too thin, or the wrong shape. This can be worse when you are young and feel under pressure to be a certain size or shape. Anyone can feel this pressure. Body shaming is the term for when people talk about someone's body in a humiliating, negative way. This can involve talking directly to them or behind their back. It is very hurtful and distressing.

For many years, society has been telling us how we should look. This idea of the ideal body has changed over the years and can be different in different societies across the world. At some points of history and in some cultures, being very fat is considered desirable as it means you can afford to eat. At other times and in other cultures, very thin is seen as ideal. Advertising and social media often show body shapes that are unrealistic for most of us. This adds to the pressure.

We all have ideas about our bodies, which is normal. It only becomes a problem if negative ideas get stuck and unrealistic.

Being body positive means that you feel good about the body you have. You like your body’s shape and size. You also realise that the size and shape of your body does not change who you are as a person.

A person who views their body as negative, feels bad about their body or some parts of their body. This can make them unhappy and feel bad about themselves. Their self-esteem is tied to the negative body image. This negativity can lead to many other problems such as mental health issues, eating disorders and self-harm.

If a negative body image becomes a major issue, it is called body dysmorphia. For some people, this can be linked with gender dysphoria.

If you have frequent negative thoughts about your body – a poor body image, it is important to talk to someone about this. You could talk to whānau (family) members or your general practice team. You may benefit from some counselling to discover the reasons behind your feelings and help you love and nurture your body.

While eating well, being active and trying to stay a healthy weight can be good for you, that does not mean you have to be a particular shape.

Read some of the links below to find out how we sometimes get fooled into not liking our own perfectly normal bodies, and why it is important to accept yourself as you are.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Bodywhys – Improving body image

  Body image tips for young people by young people.

• Centre for Clinical Interventions – Building body acceptance

  This online self-help module helps you to work through issues you might have about your body's shape and size

• Dove – Evolution commercial

  Watch how a model is made up, then her image digitally distorted, to create an unrealistic image of beauty.

• The Lowdown – Body image

  Information about body image, how and why people see themselves.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2024.

Sources

Page reference: 53195

Review key: HIBIW-53195