Body Satisfaction And Body Image

Literature review
The literature review will look into the definition of what body image is. Body satisfaction and body perception will be examined under the definition of body image. Gender is a component that is discussed as a way of examining how males and females perceive body image. The different influences of body image will be explored such as social learning theory. Homosexual and heterosexual definitions will be provided and more information as to how they view body image. Media as an influence will be discussed and its impact on body image. Obesity will also be discussed considering that South Africa has individuals who are considered to be obese and show such a preference.
What is body image?
Body image is considered to be a multidimensional

Things that usually accompany body satisfaction include body dissatisfaction, body esteem and body confidence (Burrowes, 2013). Body perception is how an individual evaluates their bodies’ appearance, this is done by assessing physical aspects. Body perception is linked to a psychological disorder. Therefore body perception and body satisfaction can refer to body image (Burrowes, 2013).
Body perception consist of a behavioral and cognitive component that is associated to individual’s body and appearance. Individuals tend to evaluate their body and this is inclusive of how much an individual is satisfied or dissatisfied with how their body appears and how an individual has concerns about their body image. (Jones & Morgan, 2010). There is often a negative view on self-esteem and social adjustment. Which in turn poses as a risk for an individual to developan eating disorder (Jones & Morgan, 2010).

Beer commercials usually use females who are not fully clothed as a way of selling their products. When gym equipment is advertised males in such adverts are shirtless and muscular as a way of selling the products (Barlett, Vowels & Saucer, 2008). Such body image portrayals are considered ideal as media portrays such ideals in mediums such as television ads and magazines.
The media is often successful in negatively influencing self-image as people constantly engage in some form of comparison behavior. Comparing their own body to that of images viewed. In terms of how individuals evaluate their body image there are two ways in which such a comparison can be made, which is by upward or downward comparison (Barlett, Vowels & Saucer, 2008).
Upward comparison is when comparison is made to someone of a higher status group and downward comparison is when comparison is made to someone of a lower status group (Parker, Hayrko & Hermans, 2008). Comparison made in an upward manner leads to negative outcomes. Men usually engage in upward comparison tendencies. Such comes with consequence such as dieting in order to gain weight, the use of steroids so as to gain muscle mass (Parker, Hayrko & Hermans, 2008).
South African