If You Struggle With Body Image Issues, Watch this

Summary

The video discusses the prevalence of body image concerns among young people, influenced by societal beauty standards and social media. It outlines six signs of body image struggles: obsessive body checking, food and exercise obsession, mood correlation with body image, wearing camouflage clothing, frequent online comparisons, and a constant desire to fix perceived flaws. The video emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues to prevent negative outcomes on mental health and encourages embracing individuality and authenticity.

Takeaways

• 🔍 One in three young people are highly concerned about their body image, highlighting the prevalence of this issue.
• 🪞 Obsessive body checking, such as frequent mirror gazing or measuring, can be a sign of struggling with body image.
• 🍽 Obsession over food and exercise driven by body dissatisfaction rather than health can indicate a negative body image.
• 🌡 A correlation between body image and mood suggests that dissatisfaction with one's body can affect overall well-being.
• 👕 Camouflaging the body with loose clothing might be a strategy used by those with poor body image to cope with feelings of judgment.
• 📱 Comparing oneself to others online can exacerbate body dissatisfaction due to exposure to often unrealistic beauty standards.
• 🔄 Constantly finding flaws in one's appearance can be a sign of poor body image and perfectionism.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Disordered eating and exercising habits can stem from a negative body image and affect both physical and mental health.
• 🌟 Acknowledging and appreciating one's flaws is crucial for developing a healthier body image.
• 🤝 Surrounding oneself with authentic and supportive individuals can help in overcoming societal beauty standards and improve self-perception.

Q & A

What is the main concern of the survey conducted by the 'Be Real' campaign?

The survey focuses on the high level of concern young people have about their body image, with one in three reporting being highly concerned.

How does society contribute to negative body image in young people?

Society contributes to negative body image by internalizing beauty standards, which are often unrealistic and made more prominent by social media.

What is the first sign of struggling with body image mentioned in the script?

The first sign is obsessive body checking, which goes beyond normal mirror-gazing to include behaviors like using hands or tape measures, weighing oneself frequently, and comparing oneself to others.

How can obsessive body checking become problematic?

Obsessive body checking can become problematic if it leads to restrictive eating, social isolation, or becomes a way to control fear and anxiety about one's body, increasing dissatisfaction.

What is the second sign of struggling with body image discussed in the script?

The second sign is obsessing over food and exercise, where individuals may restrict their diet or engage in weight control behaviors not for health but to shape their body according to perceived standards.

How can one tell if their relationship with food and exercise is negatively affecting their body image?

If thoughts about food and exercise lead to a worsened mood, or if these activities are used as a way to control life rather than for health and well-being, it may indicate a negative impact on body image.

What is the correlation between body image and mood as discussed in the script?

The script explains that body image can fluctuate daily, affecting one's mood. Poor body image is linked to lower quality of life and psychological distress, while satisfaction with one's body is associated with better overall well-being.

What is the fourth sign of struggling with body image mentioned in the script?

The fourth sign is camouflaging, where individuals wear loose or oversized clothing to hide their body, often out of fear of judgment.

Why might people with poor body image wear camouflaging clothing?

People with poor body image may wear camouflaging clothing to alleviate fear of judgment from others, as they often feel their body is subject to criticism.

What is the fifth sign of struggling with body image discussed in the script?

The fifth sign is frequently comparing one's body to others online, which can lead to negative outcomes and contribute to poor body image.

How does comparing oneself to others online differ from doing so in person according to the script?

The script cites a study showing that comparing oneself to others online leads to more negative outcomes such as body dissatisfaction compared to in-person comparisons.

What is the sixth sign of struggling with body image mentioned in the script?

The sixth sign is the constant perception that there is always something to fix about one's body, which is a sign of poor body image and can be linked to perfectionism.

How can acknowledging and appreciating one's flaws help with body image?

Acknowledging and appreciating flaws can help individuals see their uniqueness and individuality, which can counteract the negative impact of societal beauty standards and improve body image.

What are the potential harmful outcomes of poor body image as discussed in the script?

Potential harmful outcomes of poor body image include reduced self-esteem, mood disorders, disordered eating habits, and a decline in both physical and mental health.

What is the role of societal beauty standards in body image issues according to the script?

Societal beauty standards create unrealistic expectations that lead to dissatisfaction with oneself, even though everyone is beautiful in their own way. Deconstructing these standards is crucial for improving body image.

Outlines

00:00

🪞 Signs of Struggling with Body Image

This paragraph discusses how societal beauty standards can lead to negative body image, especially among young people. It outlines six signs of body image issues: 1) obsessive body checking, 2) obsessing over food and exercise, 3) body image affecting mood, 4) wearing camouflage clothing, 5) frequent online body comparisons, and 6) a constant desire to fix perceived flaws. The paragraph emphasizes the impact of these behaviors on mental health and suggests increasing self-awareness as a way to mitigate negative body image.

05:01

🤔 The Role of Perfectionism in Body Image

Paragraph 2 delves into how perfectionism contributes to poor body image, with a focus on the desire for an unattainable ideal body. It references a study by Tracy D Wade that links a lower desired BMI with higher levels of perfectionism. The paragraph also addresses the unique challenges faced by trans and non-binary individuals in navigating body image. It concludes by encouraging viewers to embrace their individuality and authenticity, and to challenge societal beauty standards. The importance of addressing body image issues to prevent negative outcomes such as low self-esteem and eating disorders is highlighted.

Keywords

💡Body Image

Body image refers to the mental representation of one's physical appearance, which includes how one perceives their body and how they feel about it. In the video's context, body image is central to the theme as it discusses the negative impact societal beauty standards can have on young people's perceptions of their bodies, leading to dissatisfaction and negative self-image.

💡Obsessive Body Checking

Obsessive body checking is the compulsive act of frequently examining one's body, often in a mirror or by other means such as using hands or a tape measure. The video script mentions this behavior as a sign of struggling with body image, where individuals may check their bodies excessively, which can increase dissatisfaction and anxiety about their appearance.

💡Negative Body Image

A negative body image is a perception of one's physical appearance that is predominantly unfavorable or critical. The video discusses how negative body image can stem from societal beauty standards and can lead to behaviors such as obsessive body checking, restrictive dieting, and a constant desire to alter one's body.

💡Restrictive Diets

Restrictive diets are eating plans that severely limit the types or amounts of food one consumes, often in an attempt to control weight or shape the body. The script highlights how negative body image can lead individuals to adopt restrictive diets not for health reasons but to conform to perceived beauty standards.

💡Mood

Mood, in the context of the video, refers to the emotional state or the temporary feelings of an individual. The video explains how body image can influence mood, with individuals experiencing a poorer quality of life and psychological distress when they are dissatisfied with their bodies.

💡Camouflaging

Camouflaging, as used in the video, refers to the act of wearing clothing to hide or disguise one's body shape, often out of fear of judgment or to feel more comfortable. This behavior is indicative of poor body image, as individuals may choose to wear loose or oversized clothing to avoid drawing attention to their bodies.

💡Social Media

Social media is a platform for social interaction using the internet, which the video script identifies as exacerbating body image issues. It suggests that the constant exposure to idealized images on social media can lead to negative comparisons and increased dissatisfaction with one's own body.

💡Perfectionism

Perfectionism is the pursuit of flawlessness and setting extremely high standards for oneself. The video connects perfectionism with poor body image, noting that individuals who are never satisfied with their appearance are constantly seeking to 'fix' perceived flaws, which can be harmful to their mental health.

💡Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by abnormal eating habits that negatively affect a person's physical and emotional health. The video implies that a poor body image can lead to the development of eating disorders, as individuals may engage in disordered eating behaviors in an attempt to control their body shape or weight.

💡Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are a group of conditions where a person experiences persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness. The script suggests that a negative body image can contribute to mood disorders by causing individuals to feel distressed or unhappy about their bodies, which can impact their overall mental health.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity refers to the state of being true to one's own personality, spirit, or character. The video encourages embracing authenticity as a way to counteract societal beauty standards and improve body image. It suggests that being genuine and surrounding oneself with real people can help individuals realize their own beauty and uniqueness.

Highlights

One in three young people report being highly concerned about their body image.

Beauty standards from society can contribute to a negative body image.

Obsessive body checking is a sign of struggling with body image.

Obsessing over food and exercise may indicate poor body image.

Body image and mood are correlated; dissatisfaction affects quality of life.

Camouflaging the body with clothing can be a response to body image issues.

Comparing oneself to others online can lead to negative body image outcomes.

Constantly finding flaws in one's body is a sign of poor body image.

Perfectionism plays a significant role in body dissatisfaction.

Poor body image can lead to eating disorders and mood disorders.

Trans or non-binary individuals may face additional body image challenges.

Addressing body image concerns is crucial for mental and physical health.

Society's beauty standards can lead to dissatisfaction for many.

Deconstructing beauty standards starts with being authentic.

Surrounding oneself with real people can help improve body image.

Psychtaco aims to bring awareness to mental health topics.

Transcripts

according to a survey from the be real

campaign about one in three young people

report that they are highly concerned

about their body image

at a young age many of us internalize

beauty standards from society these

standards can often contribute to having

a negative body image and are made even

more prominent by our age of social

media here are six signs you struggle

with body image number one obsessive

body checking it's a normal and natural

thing for us to look at ourselves in the

mirror on a daily basis we all gaze at

the mirror to see if we look presentable

for instance but for people who struggle

with body image body checking can become

obsessive

besides the mirror there are other ways

you might check your body these include

using your hands or a tape measure

weighing yourself checking the tightness

of your clothes and comparing yourself

to others

if body checking makes you stop or limit

your eating causes you to isolate

yourself from others or it becomes a way

to control your fear and anxiety about

your body it can become problematic the

behavior often increases your

preoccupation and dissatisfaction with

your body many people are unaware of how

frequently they engage in body checking

and the method they do so an increased

awareness of this might help you be able

to reduce this behavior and improve body

image

number two

obsessing over food and exercise when

you perceive your body in a negative way

often times you may try to take steps to

shape it into something you'd want to

see putting yourself on restrictive

diets and other weight control behaviors

may seem like the only option for you to

be happy with your body instead of doing

these things for your health and

well-being you're only driven by what

you see in the mirror over engaging in

habits you may associate with being

healthy such as calorie counting and

taking body measurements could actually

be signs of poor body image it may be

helpful to check in with yourself

frequently and ensure that food or the

skill have not become a way to control

your life

if you start to have thoughts about food

and exercise that lead to a worsened

mood making an effort to create thoughts

that make you feel more in control can

lead to better outcomes for example

instead of calling yourself a failure

for gaining a few pounds try to

establish yourself as someone who

doesn't let the scale change their mood

number three your body image and mood

are correlated

body image is something that can

fluctuate from day to day on some days

you may feel great about how you look

while on others you may be feeling

frustrated or embarrassed about your

body destroying your confidence

as body image is something that can

often shift the mood of those with an

unhealthy relationship with their body

May often be based on how they feel in

their skin according to the UK mental

health Foundation body dissatisfaction

is associated with a poorer quality of

life and psychological distress while

body satisfaction has been linked to

better overall well-being if your mood

runs on how you feel when you see

yourself in the mirror your body image

May hold a significant weight in your

life

[Music]

number four you camouflage when picking

an outfit to wear do you find yourself

wearing loose oversized clothes

going on from how one's mood can be

linked to how one feels in their body

those struggling with body image may

take some steps to make them feel better

and more comfortable for instance they

might wear loose or oversized clothing

while some people do this because it

makes them feel more body positive

Others May do it out of fear of judgment

according to the psychotherapist Deborah

Klinger those who have dealt with body

shame are especially inclined to wear

clothes that camouflage their bodies

since people with poor body image often

feel that their body is prone to

judgment from others wearing clothes

that hide the body can help alleviate

this fear

number five you frequently compare your

body to others online

do you find yourself comparing your body

to others

while comparing ourselves to others is

natural making body comparisons to

unrealistic standards is a Surefire way

to break a positive body image a 2015

study by psychologists Jasmine far Dolly

and Lenny vartanian showed that

appearance comparisons to idealized

images are often associated with

negative outcomes in one study

participants comparing themselves to

others in person had less negative

outcomes such as less body

dissatisfaction than when they compared

themselves to others online if you find

yourself often comparing your body to

others online it might be a contributor

to poor body image detoxing your feed or

unfollowing triggering accounts that

make you feel worse about your

appearance can potentially improve your

body image and number six there's always

something to fix about your body

when you look in the mirror do you

always see something that you don't like

you might try to fix it but when you

look in the mirror again another flaw

becomes apparent this keeps going on and

on there's something that needs to be

fixed every time

a desire to fix something about your

body is an indicator of poor body image

perfectionism plays a large role in

those with poor relationships with their

body

for them there's constantly something

that needs to be fixed in a study by

Tracy D Wade a lower desired BMI in

participants was associated with higher

levels of concern over mistakes and

organization this perfectionist Behavior

can be harmful a constant

dissatisfaction with certain parts of

your physical appearance may lead to the

rise of certain eating disorders and

mood disorders

acknowledge and appreciate your flaws

they make you different from others but

that's what gives you your individuality

and uniqueness worries about your weight

height muscularity and other physical

features can affect anybody if you're

trans or non-binary navigating body

image can be especially difficult

poor body image is crucial to

acknowledge and address not addressing

it can pose risk to harmful outcomes

such as reduce self-esteem and mood

disorders and disordered eating if you

struggle with the way you perceive your

body you could also be inclined to

develop poor eating and exercising

habits and this can take a toll on both

your physical and mental health

Society creates a beauty standard that

is not fair to so many of us leading to

dissatisfaction with ourselves even when

we are all truly beautiful in our own

ways

deconstructing the standard starts with

everyone being their real authentic

selves surrounding yourself with real

people can help you realize that you

truly are not the outlier that you think

you are

beautiful

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psychtaco is committed to our goal of

bringing awareness and accessibility to

mental health topics thanks so much for

watching