The Influence Of Body Dissatisfaction In Women And Body Image

Body Image is generally defined as a concept that encompasses both an individual’s perception of their physical body, and the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs the individual experiences as a result of this perception. Body dissatisfaction which stems from a negative body image involves discontent with one's weight and shape and has become a pervasive issue in recent decades particularly amongst the female population (Tiggerman, 2004). Body dissatisfaction has been identified as a widespread phenomenon, reportedly effecting between 50 and 70% of adolescent girls (Wertheim & Paxton, 2011). Studies have shown for example that over 70% of female college students would like to lose weight or desire a thinner figure (Paxton et al., 1991). The high
Research surrounding negative body image has principally concentrated on female’s preoccupation with weight loss and body shape however the issue of body dissatisfaction is not exclusively encountered by females, as men also experience negative feelings about their bodies (Penelo et al., 2012). Parallel with the findings on females, body dissatisfaction in men has also been identified as a risk factor for development of eating disorders (Grogan, 2006), as well as for adverse measures to alter body shape such as through the use of anabolic-steroids (Hoffman & Brownell, 1997). Increased awareness of the physically and emotionally destructive nature of problems associated with body dissatisfaction such as eating disorders has aided conceptualisation of body dissatisfaction as a major health concern (Ward et al.
A number of self-report measures have been developed, such as the Body Areas Satisfaction Scale (Cash, 2000), whereby individuals rate their satisfaction with both their overall appearance, and with particular body areas and aspects such as upper torso, muscle tone, and height. In light of research conducted by Rosen and Ross (1968) indicating that a weighted index, incorporating an individual’s subjective importance ratings of individual body areas would be more predictive of overall self-concept, the Body Image Ideals Questionnaire was introduced into the field (Cash &Szymanski, 1995). Furthermore, a thorough understanding of the variables and processes underlying body image problems is required, upon which to base intervention and prevention measures in order to successfully address the issue of body dissatisfaction. A variety of sociocultural factors such as poor self-esteem, peer influences, social comparison and internalization processes, media pressure, and parental pressure have been proposed to contribute to body image concerns (Wertheim, Paxton, & Blaney, 2004). One significant contribution to the high prevalence of body dissatisfaction among women has been identified as the mass marketing of unrealistic representations of ideal attractiveness and body image through forms of mass media such as advertising and print media (Silverstein et al. 1986). Research