Body Image

A picture in our minds eye Belief about how others perceive us How we feel living in our bodies

What is the Ideal body? Different standards for male and female Different for various ethnic and cultural groups Defined by society, community, family... What is Ideal has changed over time...

Body Image Throughout History Prehistoric Fertility goddess Wide hips highly desirable

Body Image Throughout History 120 BC Venus de Milo Greek goddess 1400s Botticellis Birth of Venus Art depicted beauty – soft and curvaceous

Body Image Throughout History 1500s Leonardo da Vincis Mona Lisa 1600s Rubens Garden of Love

Body Image Throughout History 1880s Plump body, pale complexion Representing wealth, abundance of food & refined lifestyle Seurats A Sunday Afternoon

Body Image Throughout History Early 1900s Corseted, hour-glass look

Body Image Throughout History 1920s Era of the flat-chested, slim-hipped flapper

Body Image Throughout History 1950s Full-figured shapes of Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield Typical models Height 58 Weight 132 lbs.

Body Image Throughout History 1960s The gaunt Twiggy look Height: 57 Weight: 98 pounds

Body Image Throughout History Miss America was normal weight in the 1920s through early 60s Underweight since the mid 60s

Body Image Throughout History 1970s and 1980s Taller, thinner look No visible body fat Muscles highly toned from hours of working out Typical models Height 58 Weight 117 lbs.

Body Image Throughout History Early 1990s Waif-like figure of Kate Moss Pre-teen look in adult women < 4% of women have this tall, very thin look naturally Typical models Height 510 Weight 110 lbs

Body Image Throughout History Late 1990s Narrow hips yet large breasts Rare combination without breast implants Typical models Height 510 Weight 110 lbs.

Body Image Throughout History 2000s Most girls and women do NOT look like this! Average model: Height 58 – 511 Weight <120 lbs. % body fat <18% The average North American woman: Height 54 Weight 152 lbs. % body fat > 32%

Body Image – Culture matters Women of color generally have a very positive body image and a broader definition of beauty than white women.

Body Image African- American models and actresses often portray unrealistic thinness

Body Image The Ideal Male Tall 6 Broad shoulders/large muscles Narrow waist 30 Average male model: weighs 145# 15% body fat Average Man: weighs 170# 23% body fat

Body Image Historical Male Body Image Michelangelo's David looks more realistic than the muscle men of today.

Teens body image influenced by Role models Peers Friends Parents Advertising

Impact of the Media

Technology impacts body image Before airbrushing After airbrushing a - tidied and highlighted hair b - reduced shine from skin c - cleaned up eyebrows d - changed eye color from brown to blue/applied "makeup" and whitened eyes e - lessened bags/shadows under eyes f - made lips fuller g - tidied jumper

Reality versus Illusion Actress Jamie Lee Curtis poses for More Magazine as she really is and with retouching, Sept 2002.

Reality versus Illusion "Even I don't wake up looking like Cindy Crawford." - Cindy Crawford

Body Acceptance Men have a more positive body image and overlook flaws in appearance more than women. Do you agree... Women are judged more on appearance than men? Societys standard of female beauty is higher and more inflexible?

Teens body image influenced by Role models Peers Friends Parents Advertising

What messages do you get? From your family? From your friends? From yourself? About the ideal body? About your body?

Even the toys you grew up with...

If Barbie were real She would stand 6 tall, weigh 101 lbs, wear a size 4, and her measurements would be

If G.I. Joe were real... His biceps would be 27 He would have a 55 chest

What price is the perfect car? Lamborghini Murcielago

What price is the perfect car? $281,100

What price is the perfect body? $$ Cosmetic surgery $$ $$ Personal Trainers $$ $$ Hairdressers $$ $$ Make-up artists $$ $$ Wardrobe $$ Pretty high maintenance. Is it worth it ??

What is Your Make and Model? What would it be like if we all drove the same car? Why do we strive to all look the same? Isnt uniqueness better? What are your signature features?

What is Your Make and Model? How do you define attractive? How can we appreciate all our bodies do for us? How can we respect external differences? How can we emphasize internal qualities?

What are your first impressions?

The 25 cent Best Friend Fun to hang with Stylish hair Lean, not fat Dependable No pimples Keeps my secrets Popular Rich parents Wears name brands Honest Straight A student Sense of humor No put downs Athletic Accepts me Has cool car

The 25 cent Best Friend Fun to hang with Stylish hair Lean, not fat Dependable No pimples Keeps my secrets Popular Rich parents Wears name brands Honest Straight A student Sense of humor No put downs Athletic Accepts me Has cool car

Does poor body image matter? Body image dissatisfaction affects our: mental health eating behavior physical activity behaviors weight management

Does body image matter? Poor body image and preoccupation with weight is a risk factor for the development of eating disorders. People who feel good about their bodies and respect and care for themselves, who feed themselves well and enjoy being active, are unlikely to develop eating disorders.

This Power Point Slide Show was created by Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RD as part of Destination: Wellness, a Nutrition Education Tool Kit for High School Students. This project was funded by a 2002 TEAM Nutrition grant from the Department of Agriculture, and administered by the Maryland State Department of Education.