it doesn’t just impact teenage girls
There is a common misconception that issues surrounding body image only impact teenage girls. While there are a lot of teenage girls that do struggle with their body image, it isn’t just them.
I found myself absolutely drowning in body image statistics a couple of weeks ago in the lead up to a presentation. When I was in high school I thought I was the only person struggling with my body image, what I have since learned is that I wasn’t alone. I have spoken to so many people since leaving school who all struggled with the same thing.
Unfortunately for many, the struggles they have with their body image in childhood and adolescence continue into adulthood. Here were a few of the statistics that stood out for me:
Recent research suggests that 80% of Australian women are dissatisfied with their bodies to some degree.
It's estimated that 85% of men are dissatisfied with their muscularity.
Around 30% of young people are extremely or very concerned about their body image.
Compared to heterosexual individuals, people who are LGBTIQA+ are at greater risk for disordered eating behaviours.
Approximately half of adolescent girls engage in intentional weight loss behaviours such as smoking, fasting and self-induced vomiting.
Men account for one third of the people that experience eating disorders in Australia.
When I read these numbers it really made me think of the many people that I have in my life. Based on those numbers, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched of me to think that a number of them aren’t happy with the way they physically present and are actively trying to change that. I can’t say I was too surprised when I read these numbers either.
We live in a society centered around “normative discontent.” This means that it is perfectly normal for us to feel bad about our bodies most of the time. Think about it, many of us actually bond over the shared discomfort with our bodies. We talk about what we don’t like, what we are currently trying to fix, how guilty we feel about what we ate or if we didn’t exercise that day. I actually think most of us would find it really difficult to imagine what it would be like to not live in that way.
We need to treat everyone with kindness and compassion. It isn’t easy to navigate life when we are self-conscious of the way we look or if we think that the way we are is not enough. It is unsettling, troubling and can at times be all consuming.
Drawing attention to characteristics outside of a person’s appearance can go a long way in increasing self-esteem, changing the way they view themselves and shifting their mindset to see what they bring to the lives of their loved ones. I mean, how many people do you only love and value because of the way they look? *crickets*
Instead of complimenting someone on the way they look today, I want to encourage you to think of something else you can draw their attention to. Tell them how much you value their kindness and friendship, share your excitement and enthusiasm towards a project you know they have been working on or thank them for bringing you so much joy and laughter.
This post is just to draw awareness to the number of people that are struggling and that many of them don’t share their challenges. It is an isolating journey and the more we talk about it and share our feelings and experiences, the less alone they will hopefully feel. So what are you waiting for? Send a quick text to a loved one now to let them know just how much you appreciate them today. You never know, that message might be their first reason to smile today.
Statistics sourced from: Beyond Blue (2022), Body Image; Butterfly Foundation (2022), Males, eating disorders and body image; Butterfly Foundation (2022), Who does it effect?
