What is body image?

Do you think you’re too fat? Have you ever tried to lose weight? When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see? As the body experiences dramatic changes in height, weight, and shape during the teenage years, our image of ourselves also changes in the process. Body image is our personal view of our body and, more importantly, our belief about how others perceive our appearance. Body image can be closely linked to self-esteem, especially as teens grow into adolescence and become more concerned about how others see them.  

How does negative body image relate to self-dissatisfaction?

Body image is often measured by asking people to rate their current and ideal body shape using a series of pictures. The difference between these two values reflects the amount of body dissatisfaction. Studies have shown that the majority of people are dissatisfied with their appearance, especially their weight. Teenage girls, in particular, see themselves as heavier than what they would like to be. The dissatisfaction with we