9.1

Body Image

• Body image is the way you think and feel about your body's appearance
• It's not necessarily related to how your body actually looks
• People may like or dislike aspects of their bodies

Social Environment

• Social environment influences body image, including relationships and community
• Family members can affect body image by emphasizing certain physical qualities
• This can lead to negative body image and pressure to have a certain appearance

Unhealthy Changes to Teens' Bodies

• Teen boys may use steroids to become more muscular, risking serious side effects
• Many teens have plastic surgery to fit in with peers, risking infections and scarring
• Teens of color may use unhealthy products to bleach their skin, risking mercury poisoning and dermatitis

Media and Society

• Media spreads messages about attractiveness, often associating physical traits with a healthy lifestyle
• Advertisements for products like cars, deodorant, and clothing promote unhealthy beauty standards

Female Bodies in the Media

• The average woman in the US wears a size 12-14, but models featured in magazines wear a size 0-4
• Media images of celebrities and models set unhealthy standards for women
• The ideal female body type is not universal and varies by country and culture

Ideal vs Average Body Size

• Teen girls idealize a height of 5'7" and weight of 100 pounds
• The average teen girl is between 5'1" and 5'4" and weighs between 101-109 pounds

The Ideal Is Not Universal

• In countries with limited food supplies, people prefer larger female bodies
• Researchers believe that larger bodies are seen as healthier and more fertile in these societies

Male Bodies in the Media

• The media portrays males as tall, muscular, and lean with full facial hair
• In reality, males are still developing throughout adolescence and may not have these characteristics
• 25% of males with a normal weight perceive themselves as underweight, and 90% exercise to bulk up

Diversity in the Media and Body Image

• A study found that 74% of models in fashion magazines were classified as having a healthy weight, but few showed wrinkles or graying hair
• Over 90% of actors in mainstream movies were Caucasian
• The lack of diversity in media can negatively impact self-esteem and body image

Race and Ethnicity

• US media tends to show mostly Caucasian or light-skinned models
• People of different racial and ethnic backgrounds have a wide variety of physical features
• Having a strong ethnic or racial identity can help protect against negative body image

Athletic Activities

• Certain athletic activities emphasize particular body types and features, negatively impacting body image
• Teens who participate in activities that don't emphasize body types may experience less pressure and feel better about their bodies