Body Image

Question 1

What is Body image and how is it influenced

Answer 1

Refers to how a person views their physical self and how comfortable they feel in their own skin as well as their feelings on how they look and how they believe others view them.
Body image can be influenced by attitudes and values of those around us e.g. family, friends and peer groups as well as the views of society as shown in the media.

Question 2

What is a Healthy/Unhealthy Body image

Answer 2

A healthy body image is important for both physical and mental health. For someone with a negative body image, they may feel repulsed with their body and unhappy with who they are.

Question 3

Tips that can help someone improve their view of their body and help create positive body image:

Answer 3

• Looking at media that makes you feel good about yourself
• Not comparing to celebrities or images in media
• Focusing on personal positive qualities
• Focusing on talent/skill instead of appearance
• Wearing clothes you feel comfortable in
• Eating healthy foods
• Avoiding judgement of other people’s bodies

Question 4

7 tips to improve body image

Answer 4

1. recognise that you are valuable and your worth cannot be based on your appearance

2 . be the ‘best that you can be’ and develop the skills and talents that make you unique

3. don’t base yourself of what the media considers the right way to look
4. maintain a high nutritional health, rather than follow fad diets
5. know that people come in different shapes and sizes
6. shake off any negative feelings you may or have or think others have about you
7. exercise to release endorphins (natural ‘feel good’ chemicals)