Body Image

Body image is a term used to describe how we think and feel about our bodies (Mental Health Foundation) and so it can affect anyone. There are many contributing factors to how we view body image, such as social media, cultural norms and advertising, which lead to expectations on how we should look. This can result in weight management, cosmetic surgery and other techniques to alter our appearance. Most importantly these expectations can lead to mental health issues such as depression, shame and eating disorders.

A survey completed by the Mental Health Foundation in 2022, produced statistics that 37% of teenagers felt upset and 31% felt ashamed about their body image. 34% adults felt anxious and 35% felt depressed because of their body image. The statistics were so impactful, that they were shared with the House of Commons and Government, so that a plan could be made to prevent this issue in education, social and health settings. As previously mentioned, body image can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, sexuality and ethnicity, however there has been research to support vulnerable groups who are more likely to experience body dissatisfaction. These groups are adolescents, underweight and overweight individuals, LQBTQIA+ individuals and people with disabilities.

Eating disorders can arise from the above feelings around body dissatisfaction and body image. It can be a way to cover those feelings by becoming a coping mechanism. The most common eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. They are prevalent in teenagers and young adults.

The signs to look out for are:

• Worrying about your weight and shape
• Eating too little
• Strict habits around food
• Avoiding socialising when food is involved
• Making yourself sick
• Changes to your mood such as depression, anxiety and feeling withdrawn
• Exercising a lot

The signs to look out for in others:

• Dramatic weight loss
• Hiding their weight loss with loose clothing
• Avoiding social events where food will be involved
• Hiding when and what they are eating
• Going to the bathroom a lot after eating
• Exercising a lot
• Eating food very fast or very slowly

There are also many physical symptoms to be aware of such as:

• Issues with digestion
• Weight being very high or low for your age and height
• Feeling faint, dizzy or heart racing
• Feeling cold or tired
• Issues with menstrual cycles
• Pains or tingling in your limbs

So what can be done if you are experiencing any of the above? There is many forms of support available. Here are some:

• Speak to a GP. They can discuss your symptoms and make appropriate referrals. They can refer you to a specialist if needs be.
• Talk to someone. This could be a family member or friend that you trust and who will support you through it.
• A therapist can help you process your feelings and thoughts on body image. This can include previous trauma, expectations and family history of eating disorders.
• Help lines such as Beat Eating Disorders, Mind and Young Minds. Most of these help lines are free and you can talk to someone via phone, email, text or WhatsApp.

If you need support for someone else they can also try the above with your encouragement. They might not be aware they have an eating disorder, so you may need to sensitively broach it with them.

Why get help or help for someone else? Mental and physical health can improve with the right treatment and intervention. Body image issues and eating disorders can be successfully treated. Without treatment it can cause life time health problems such as issues with teeth, bones, heart, digestion, fertility and in extreme cases death. Mentally it can cause depression, anxiety, low confidence, social anxiety, self-harm and in extreme causes suicide. This can effect daily functioning such as work opportunities, mobility to travel, relationships and care giving. Let’s not be afraid to ask for help. The support is there and positive changes can be made.