A 10-week program of self-discovery, education, skill-building and support

Body Image

The mental picture one has of

his or her body at any given time

Body Image…What Is It?

How we perceive ourselves How we feel

about our physical appearance

Our sense of how other people view ourbodies

Body Image…What Is It?

Our sense of bodies in physical space

Our level of connectedness to our bodies

Body Image…What Is It?

“There is more to body image than just what we see in the mirror”

Importance of Body Image

Approximately 74% of normal weight woman think about their weight “all the time” or “frequently” (Health Education Department, Brown University)

The more a person

focuses on his/her body

The worse he/she tends to feel about

their appearance

1997 Body Image Survey Results

Both men and women Most problematic area –

stomach Give up 5 years to be at

ideal weight Exercise differs

depending on sex Americans

overwhelmingly negativeSource:Garner, D.M. (1997, Jan/Feb)

The Perfect BodyPerfect for what?

Ballerinas need Long neck Beaklike mouth Startled eyes

set far apart Very thin

Source: Barnette, Martha (1993, August). The Perfect Body. Allure (pg. 106-13)

The Perfect Body

Perfect for what?

Speed Skaters need

Large lower half

Large thighs Large buttock

The Perfect Body

Perfect for what?

Swimmers need Tall Wide shoulders Long arms Narrow waist Lightweight legs Large feet and

hands

The Perfect Body

Is the body you have!

Which is genetically programmed and cannot change given hours of diet and exercise

You can’t make your legs longer by dieting

Importance of Body Image

Having (-) body image results in extreme weight/body control behaviors

Some of the behaviors include: › Extreme dieting› Exercise compulsion› Vomiting› Smoking & use of

steroids

Who wants to be Barbie?

Influential Factors Comments from family & friends

Media

Current physicalideals

Increased frequency of how we compare ourselves to others

Media and Body Image

A study discovered women’s magazines had 10.5 times more ads promoting weight loss than men’s magazines

Stereotypical Cultural Ideals

what is desirable & attractive among different cultures plays a role

Western standard

thinness is associated with attractiveness› Women: slim, toned body› Men: strong, muscular body

THIN IS IN!!

Ideal is Changing

1920s: thin, flat chested bodies

1950s: curvaceous bodies

1970s: ultra thin

21st century: ????

Body size is culturallydefined

Nigeria

Round aesthetic

Clothing (wrapper) emphasizes roundness

“Self-esteem could be better termed ‘social’ esteem”

African American women

Have more community support for creating a style all their own

Ignore media ideals as fantasyParker, S., et al (1995). Body image and weight concerns among African American and white adolescent females: Differences that make a difference. Human Organization, 54(2).

AncientGreeks

Survey of Historic Costume, Fairchild Publishers, author's photo

10 Tips on Improving Body Image

1. Before you look in the mirror, think positively

2. Stop comparing yourself to others

3. Nurture your inner self

4. Wear clothes you feel comfortable in

5. Take risks to challenge yourself

10 Tips on Improving Body Image

6. Make a “why I like myself” list

7. Spend time with people who have a healthy relationship with

food, activity & their bodies

8. Realize that you cannot change your body type

10 Tips on Improving Body Image

9. Move and enjoy your body

10. Ignore media standards

GENDER

UNIFORMS

BUSINESSWEAR(1)

OFFICE PARTIES

DATING

SPORTS EVENTS (2)

HALLOWEEN

LIVING HISTORY

FESTIVALS(3)

HOUSEWORK

GARDENING

NOVELTY ITEMS(4)

HOME

EXERCISE

(5)

CHILDHOODMEMORIES

SENSUALLINGERIE

(6)

TIGHTUNDERWEAR

(7)

SOME TATTOOSNOVELTY

UNDERWEAR

(8)

SEXUAL FANTASIES

ASSUME ANOTHER PERSONA

(9)

PublicSelf

Private Self

Secret Self

REALITY FUN/LEISURE FANTASY

The Public, Private & Secret Self Model

ReferencesSomething Fishy. (2007). Love Your Body. Retrieved from Website: http://www.misc/bodyimage.phpBrown University. (2008). Body Image. Retrieved from Website:

http://www.misc.bodyimageinfo.htmSloan, Bridgette. (2008). Body Image.

Retrieved from Website: http://www.ohioline.osu.edu

ReferencesThe Meanings of Dress2nd Edition, 2005

Dress and Identity1995

Acknowledgements HEEL program, Debbie Murray Ann Vail, School of HES Aquia Brantley, MAT Graduate

Student Pam Sigler, Extension Specialist

for Curriculum and Instruction

Mention or display of a trademark, propriety product, or firm in text or graphics does not constitute an endorsement and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.

Janet Tietyen, Ph.D., R.D., L.D.Extension Specialist for Food and NutritionAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Nutrition and Food ScienceSchool of Human Environmental Sciences

May 2008/Revised 2013

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