Body Image

“All my life, men have told me I wasn’t pretty enough – even the men I was dating. And I’d be like, ‘Well, why are you with me, then?’ It’s always been men putting me down just like my dad. To this day when someone says I’m cute, I can’t see it. I don’t see it no matter what anybody says (brainyquote.com).”

Body image is the way a person perceives their body. This image can be distorted and influenced from family, friends, media, and etc. Body image is closely linked to self-esteem. Teenagers can lose confidence in their appearance if they feel or receive negative comments based their looks, physical abilities, or body changes especially during puberty.

Low self-esteem in adolescents can lead to eating disorders, early sexual activity, substance use, suicidal thoughts, and other risky thoughts and behaviors. Healthy behaviors can boost attractive appearance on the outside and add positive feelings about body image on the inside as well.

Routine exercise, healthy diet, and great support systems all work together to contribute to a better way of how we see ourselves.  While there are things people cannot change about their appearance, people develop a long lasting healthy body image by taking care, appreciating, and accepting your body’s imperfections.