Body image: What is it, and how can I improve it? 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White, PhD, MS, Psychology — By Yvette Brazier — Updated on August 14, 2022Body image refers to how an individual sees their own body and the feelings associated with this perception. Many people have concerns about their body image. These concerns often focus on weight, skin, hair, or the shape or size of a certain body part. The way a person feels about their body can influenced by many different factors. According to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), a range of beliefs, experiences, and generalizations contribute to body image. Throughout history, people have given importance to the beauty of the human body. Society, media, social media, and popular culture often shape these views, and this can affect how a person sees their own body. However, popular standards are not always helpful. Constant bombardment by media images and social pressure can cause people to feel uncomfortable about their body, leading to distress and ill health. It can also affect work, social life, and other aspects of life. This article will look at positive and negative body image and provide some tips on how to improve body image. What does body image mean Share on PinterestMartin Barraud/Getty ImagesBody image refers to a person’s emotional attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of their own body. Experts describe it as a complex emotional experience. Body image relates to:what a person believes about their appearancehow they feel about their body, height, weight, and shapehow they sense and experience their body Positive body image is related to body satisfaction and acceptance, while negative body image is related to dissatisfaction and wanting one’s body to be different. A negative body image can contribute to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), eating disorders, and other conditions. What is a positive body image When a person has a positive body image, they feel comfortable in their body and have a healthy relationship with how their body looks and feels. Having a positive body image includes: accepting and appreciating one’s bodyhaving a broad concept of beautytaking steps to care for one’s body and appearance in ways that feel healthy and fulfillingstriving for a good relationship with your body, independent of outside influences or societal messages The Office on Women’s Health reports that having a positive body image is associated with good mental and physical health. A 2015 study of university students found that for both men and women, positive body image was associated with fewer reports of depression and unhealthy dieting. People with positive body image also had higher self-esteem. In fact, some researchers who study body image issues suggest that health education should include a focus on self-confidence and positive body image. What is a negative body image A person with a negative body image feels dissatisfied with their body and their appearance. The person may: compare themselves with others and feel inadequate when doing sofeel compelled to monitor their body: measuring, weighing, or looking in the mirror frequentlyfeel ashamed or embarrassedfeel uncomfortable or awkward in their bodysee parts of their body in a distorted way In some cases, having a negative body image can contribute to the development of mental health conditions, such as depression. A person may also pursue unnecessary surgery, unsafe weight loss habits, or an inappropriate use of hormones to build muscles. There is a strong link between eating disorders and negative body image, according to NEDA. Some people may develop BDD. A person with BDD sees a part or all of their body in a negative way. They may ask for cosmetic surgery to “correct” their nose size, for example, when to everyone else, it appears normal. Where does a negative body image come from A body image does not develop in isolation. Culture, family, and friends all convey positive and negative messages about the body. The media, peers, and family members can all influence a person’s body image. They can encourage people, even from a young age, to believe that there is an ideal body. The image is often an unnatural one. The fashion and beauty industries also set an unhealthy example when their products and ads promote a very limited range of body types as acceptable or desirable. Discrimination based on race, size, ability, gender, sexual orientation, and age also plays a role. Exposure to daily microaggressions at school or work and in society can cause people to feel that they do not measure up or that they are somehow lacking. Accidents and long-term health conditions can also have an impact. Skin conditions, a mastectomy for breast cancer, or a limb amputation can cause people to rethink how they appear to themselves and to others. All of these factors can impact a person’s mental and physical well-being. Body image and gender Anyone can experience negative body image, regardless of gender, age, or other factors. According to studies of children and adolescents, 35%-81% of girls feel dissatisfied with their bodies. Among boys, 16%-55% feel this way. This means body dissatisfaction is somewhat more frequent among girls, but it is also common for boys. Overall, body dissatisfaction appears to persist throughout a person’s life, according to a 2019 review. But with greater awareness of these issues, new interventions are being developed. A 2022 review suggests that online programs for eating disorder prevention could help people reduce body dissatisfaction. Considerations for LGBTQIA communities LGBTQIA+ people may face additional stressors when it comes to body image. NEDA reports that the development of eating disorders among LGBTQ+ people can be influenced by factors such as:discrimination and bullyingdiscordance between a person’s body and their genderexperiences of violence and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) In one survey, over half of the participants who were gay, bisexual, or lesbian felt anxious or depressed about their bodies, compared with around one-third of the heterosexual respondents. Furthermore, 33% had considered suicide due to body image issues, compared with 11% of the heterosexual people surveyed. Trans people may also have specific reasons for struggling with body image issues. For example, someone might feel that their body conflicts with their gender identity. That said, body image can improve over time as a person makes choices about how to express their gender outwardly. Some people may experience improvements as they make and follow up on choices about transition, such as opting for medical or surgical intervention. But every person’s transition journey is different. Not everyone will feel that these interventions are necessary to develop a more positive body image. Like many other health concerns, problems related to negative body image can benefit from early treatment. Finding supportive mental and physical health care providers is an important first step for LGBTQIA+ individuals experiencing serious body image concerns. Tips for improving body image A 2021 review suggests that rejecting beauty ideals, placing less value on appearance, and appreciating one’s body can contribute to a positive body image. Here are some tips endorsed by NEDA that may help a person feel more positive about their body:Spend time with people who have a body-positive outlook.Practice positive self-talk. Say, “My arms are strong” rather than, “My arms are too big.” Wear comfortable clothes that you feel good in.Remember that beauty is not just about appearance.Appreciate what your body can do, such as laughing, dancing, and creating.Be actively critical of media messages and images that make you feel as if you should be different.Make a list of 10 things you like about yourself that aren’t related to your appearance.See yourself as a whole person, not an imperfect body part.Do something nice for your body, such as getting a massage or a haircut.Instead of spending time thinking about your body, start a hobby, become a volunteer, or do something else that makes you feel good about yourself. Fat talk and body dissatisfaction It is common for people to criticize their own bodies in casual conversation. But these little words can add up to big impacts. Body disparaging conversations include “fat talk,” which refers to when people talk about how “fat” they look or feel. Fat talk can also include making negative comments or comparisons about another person’s body. Studies suggest that these conversations can lead to further negative feelings, low mood, or negative eating patterns. Having compassion for your body, on the other hand, has been linked to a reduction in unhealthy eating behaviors. Body image and physical activity Exercise can boost a person’s confidence in their strength and agility and contribute to their mental and physical well-being. It can also reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. However, people exercise for different reasons. In 2015, researchers found that people who exercise for functional reasons, such as for fitness, tend to have a more positive body image. Those who exercise to improve their appearance feel less positive about their bodies. The study authors suggest that promoting exercise for functional purposes rather than to improve appearance may help people foster a more positive body image. Treatment for negative body image Sometimes, concerns about body image can affect a person’s daily functioning. If this is the case, professional help may be needed. Working with a licensed therapist can help a person improve their body image. One evidence-based option is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT can help change behaviors, thoughts, and feelings about body image by:identifying harmful thoughts and behaviorsmodifying negative self-talkchallenging negative beliefs about your bodyteaching stress management and coping strategies Some people with BDD or certain eating disorders may benefit from taking antidepressants. Those considering this option should consult a doctor or psychiatrist. Summary A person with a positive body image will feel confident in their appearance and in what their body can do. However, media messages, past experiences, and life changes can all lead to a negative self-image, which causes a person to feel unhappy with their body. In some cases, this can lead to mental health conditions, such as depression and eating disorders. If feelings about one’s body are causing distress, it may be beneficial to see a mental health professional. They can help a person explore the reasons for these concerns and find ways to resolve them. Last medically reviewed on August 14, 2022Mental HealthAnxiety / StressObesity / Weight Loss / FitnessPsychology / Psychiatry 17 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.10 steps to positive body image. 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Towards a comprehensive understanding of body image: Integrating positive body image, embodiment and self-compassion.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8323527/Eating disorders in LGBTQ+ populations. (n.d.).https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/general-information/lgbtqGillen, M. M. (2015). Associations between positive body image and indicators of men's and women's mental and physical health.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25682474/Guertin, C., et al. (2020). Examining fat talk and self-compassion as distinct motivational processes in women's eating regulation: A self-determination theory perspective.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1359105318781943Jankauskiene, R., et al. (2019). Body image concerns and body weight overestimation do not promote healthy behaviour: Evidence from adolescents in Lithuania.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6427769/Hosseini S. A., et al. (2022). Body image distortion.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546582/Mahon, C., et al. (2022). Systematic review of digital interventions for adolescent and young adult women's body image.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2022.832805/fullNational LGBT Health Education Center. (2018). Addressing eating disorders, body dissatisfaction, and obesity among sexual and gender minority youth.https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/EatingDisordersBodyImageBrief.pdfQuittkat, H. L., et al. (2019). Body dissatisfaction, importance of appearance, and body appreciation in men and women over the lifespan.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00864/fullTylka, T. L., et al. (2015). Exercise motives and positive body image in physically active college women and men: Exploring an expanded acceptance model of intuitive eating.https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/u.osu.edu/dist/1/10560/files/2015/02/Tylka_Homan_2015-y1i8o1.pdfTylka, T. L., et al. (2015). What is and what is not positive body image? Conceptual foundations and construct definition [Abstract].https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1740144515000388FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Marney A. White, PhD, MS, Psychology — By Yvette Brazier — Updated on August 14, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageHow to find an eating disorder therapistMedically reviewed by Marney A. White, PhD, MS Eating disorder therapists can help with a range of disorders, including anorexia and bulimia. Here is how to find the right treatment.READ MOREWhat's to know about body dysmorphic disorderMedically reviewed by Timothy J. 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