Body Image

I'm fat. I'm too skinny. I'd be happy if I were taller, shorter, had curly hair, straight hair, a smaller nose, bigger muscles, longer legs. Do any of these statements sound familiar? Are you used to putting yourself down? If so, you're not alone.

As a teen, you're going through a ton of changes in your body. And as your body changes, so does your image of yourself. Lots of people have trouble adjusting, and this can affect their self-esteem. Self-esteem is important because feeling good about yourself can affect how you act. A person who has high self-esteem will make friends easily, is more in control of his or her behavior, and will enjoy life more.

Do you know that attractiveness is defined by culture. For example, pioneer women who were large were healthier, 19th century paintings had fat men and women, as a sign of wealth, and European women do not shave their legs or pits.                   
What is Americans? - Ideal
    -    only 20% of American women like their bodies
    -    2/3 of high school students are on diets, only 20% are overweight.
    -    Stats of the American average model
        o     5’11
        o    117lbs
    -    Stats of the average American woman
        o    5’4
        o    140

What is your own body image and do you think you fit in America's ideal body image?