What is body image?
Body image relates to a how a person thinks and feels about his or her own body. Body image also refers to the way we see our body and the way we think that others see our body. There are different aspects of body image which include
- The way we see our own body (perceptual)
- The way we feel about our body’s appearance (affective)
- The thoughts and beliefs we have about our own body (cognitive)
- The things we do because we are dissatisfied with our body (behavioural).
There are three main types of body types which include;
- Ectomorph- Tall and Slim
- Endomorph- Rounded and with generous wasit size
- Mesomorph- Muscular and athletic looking
Body image trends in the past and present?
2008- Body image is a health issue relating to young people. This is an increasing concern for young people as it is a major health issue amongst their age. This suggests the need for strategies targeting young people into early adulthood including through their workplaces, community groups, higher educational institutions, online and the media.
2010- Young people’s level of concern about this issue remains quite high, particularly among the young adult group who may have missed out on strategies more recently developed and implemented in schools to help young people develop a healthy body image. Initiatives such as those that promote young people’s media literacy and self-esteem were identified by young people as being important, with a stronger focus on young adults appearing warranted. Continued efforts to urge the media, fashion and advertising industries to help promote positive body messages are also recommended.
Issues of concern to young people-2008
Concern about body image increased with age and it was the top issue for young adult respondents of whom about a third identified it as an issue of serious concern. One fifth of male respondents and one quarter of female respondents were significantly concerned about body image.
Issues of concern to young people-2010
The top issue of concern to young people in 2010 was body image. Body image was the top ranked issue in 2010, with 31.1% of respondents indicating that it was a major concern.
Age differences- 2008
This table shows that issues such as body image were significant concerns for a higher proportion of young adults than those aged 11 to 19. Body image was of major concern to about a quarter (23.6%) of 11 to 14 year olds compared with one third (32.1%) of 20 to 24 year olds. It was the top issue of concern for the young adult group.
Age differences-2010
The top issue for those aged 11 to 14 years were body image as well as ages 15-19 while body image was the second concern in young adults. The proportion of respondents who indicated body image were major concerns increased with age. Body image was in the top three personal concerns for all three age groups, with 28.1% of 11 to 14 year olds, 33.3% of 15 to 19 year olds and 40.3% of the young adult group indicating it was a major concern.
Gender differences-2008
Gender differences- 2010
There were both differences and similarities in the issues of concern for males and females. This table shows that for female respondents, the top concern was body image. Body image was the second concern for males. Body image was a top three issue for both genders and was a concern for a third of female and around a quarter of male respondents.
Cultural difference - 2008
The top issue of concern for Indigenous respondents were body image whereas the top issue for non- Indigenous respondents was family conflict. Body image was in the top three responses for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous respondents, but a higher proportion of Indigenous respondents identified it as a major concern (31.9% compared with 25.9%).
Cultural differences- 2010
There were a number of similarities as well as differences in responses from Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people. Body image was the top issue for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous respondents with over 30% of both groups indicating it was a major concern.