The mental picture one has of his or her body at any given time

 How we perceive ourselves  How we feel about our physical appearance  Our sense of how other people view our bodies

 Our sense of bodies in physical space  Our level of connectedness to our bodies

 “There is more to body image than just what we see in the mirror”

 Approximately 74% of normal weight woman think about their weight “all the time” or “frequently” ( Health Education Department, Brown University ) The more a person focuses on his/her body The worse he/she tends to feel about their appearance

 Both men and women  Most problematic area – stomach  Give up 5 years to be at ideal weight  Exercise differs depending on sex  Americans overwhelmingly negative Source: Garner, D.M. (1997, Jan/Feb)

Perfect for what? Ballerinas need  Long neck  Beaklike mouth  Startled eyes set far apart  Very thin Source: Barnette, Martha (1993, August). The Perfect Body. Allure (pg )

Perfect for what? Speed Skaters need  Large lower half  Large thighs  Large buttock

Perfect for what? Swimmers need  Tall  Wide shoulders  Long arms  Narrow waist  Lightweight legs  Large feet and hands

 Is the body you have!  Which is genetically programmed and cannot change given hours of diet and exercise  You can’t make your legs longer by dieting

 Having (-) body image results in extreme weight/body control behaviors  Some of the behaviors include: › Extreme dieting › Exercise compulsion › Vomiting › Smoking & use of steroids

 Comments from family & friends  Media  Current physical ideals  Increased frequency of how we compare ourselves to others

 A study discovered women’s magazines had 10.5 times more ads promoting weight loss than men’s magazines

 what is desirable & attractive among different cultures plays a role  Western standard  thinness is associated with attractiveness › Women: slim, toned body › Men: strong, muscular body THIN IS IN!!

1920s: thin, flat chested bodies  1950s: curvaceous bodies  1970s: ultra thin  21 st century: ????

 Body size is culturally defined  Nigeria  Round aesthetic  Clothing (wrapper) emphasizes roundness

 Have more community support for creating a style all their own  Ignore media ideals as fantasy Parker, S., et al (1995). Body image and weight concerns among African American and white adolescent females: Differences that make a difference. Human Organization, 54(2).

Ancient Greeks Survey of Historic Costume, Fairchild Publishers, author's photo

 1. Before you look in the mirror, think positively  2. Stop comparing yourself to others  3. Nurture your inner self  4. Wear clothes you feel comfortable in  5. Take risks to challenge yourself

 6. Make a “why I like myself” list  7. Spend time with people who have a healthy relationship with food, activity & their bodies  8. Realize that you cannot change your body type

 9. Move and enjoy your body  10. Ignore media standards

GENDER UNIFORMS BUSINESSWEAR (1) OFFICE PARTIES DATING SPORTS EVENTS (2) HALLOWEEN LIVING HISTORY FESTIVALS (3) HOUSEWORK GARDENING NOVELTY ITEMS (4) HOME EXERCISE (5) CHILDHOOD MEMORIES SENSUAL LINGERIE (6) TIGHT UNDERWEAR (7) SOME TATTOOS NOVELTY UNDERWEAR (8) SEXUAL FANTASIES ASSUME ANOTHER PERSONA (9) Public Self Private Self Secret Self REALITY FUN/LEISURE FANTASY The Public, Private & Secret Self Model

Something Fishy. (2007). Love Your Body. Retrieved from Website: Brown University. (2008). Body Image. Retrieved from Website: Sloan, Bridgette. (2008). Body Image. Retrieved from Website:

The Meanings of Dress 2 nd Edition, 2005 Dress and Identity 1995

 HEEL program, Debbie Murray  Ann Vail, School of HES  Aquia Brantley, MAT Graduate Student  Pam Sigler, Extension Specialist for Curriculum and Instruction

Mention or display of a trademark, propriety product, or firm in text or graphics does not constitute an endorsement and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms. Janet Tietyen, Ph.D., R.D., L.D. Extension Specialist for Food and Nutrition Associate Professor Department of Nutrition and Food Science School of Human Environmental Sciences May 2008/Revised 2013 Copyright ©2012 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.