Lesson 3: Grade 11 Stress and Body Image

Dealing with Stressful Situations Stress is the body’s normal physiological response to situations or stimuli perceived as “dangerous” to the body. Reactions to stress vary greatly. Healthy lifestyle choices have a positive impact on our ability to cope with stress and to manage day to day activities. Everyone can learn skills to cope with stress that contribute to optimal mental health.

Activity #1 Identify some feelings and biological changes that stress can cause . You will be divided into 6 groups, and you need to respond to the following question. 1) Situations that make me angry. 2) Situations that make me frustrated. 3) Situations that make me worry. 4) Situations that make me happy. 5) Situations that take allot of time. 6) Situations that take money. What are the similarities, insights, or perceptions related to the ideas listed. Positive stressors versus negative stressors. Remind students that responses must be appropriate (no sexual references) all responses must be safe, ethical, and not hurtful to others. Stress can cause powerful feelings, as well as biological changes in the body. Arrange students into 6 groups. Position each group in an area of the classroom and tape a sheet of poster board to the wall by each group. The following headings should be: Situations that make me angry, Situation that make me Frustrated, Situation that make me worry, Situations that make me happy, situations that take a lot of time, situations that take money. Tell the groups they have two minutes at each station to write down their responses to the question in front of them. Teacher should play lively music to make them motivated. Go through the similarities, insights, or perceptions related to the ideas. What are the positive stressors and negative ones. Brainstorm on the board with the students on the appropriate and healthy strategies to cope with stressful situations they wrote about.

Negative and Positive Stress A certain level of stress is not always bad. It can lead to optimal performance. To little stress can lead to low motivation. Excessive stress can hamper performance and perceived abilities. To much is asked of us in to short of time. Unnecessary obstacles are put in the way of achieving our goals.

Negative Negative Stress Negative Thinking Gets in the way of good judgement and fine motor control. Competition seen as a threat. Negative thinking Damaging self confidence. Narrowing attention Mental energy Negative Thinking A person who thinks positively exhibits a higher level of skill. They look at a new situation as a challenge instead of an obstacle. Exercise is used as a primary stress-management strategy. Regular exercise can remove by-products of he stress response or help release emotions. Bouts of physical activity allow muscles to release their stored entergy and to return to resting state, which reduces tension. The endorphin hormone is released as a result of exercising, which is known to affect mood and promote a sense of elation of joy.

Activity #2 Complete the wellness survey to increase your self awareness of stressful situations or behaviours you may encounter on a given day. At the end of the survey, see what stands out for you, and respond to it. How can you improve in that area? www.mindyourmind.ca This website will help you cope with stress better. It will give you some good ideas.

Body Image Linked to self-esteem and self concept. Based mainly on a persons past experiences. These can be positive (athletic performance) These can be negative (abuse or bullying) Boys and girls may be concerned about body image. One should not assume that a teenager who is heavier will have negative body image. One should not assume that a teenager who is slim will be positive with their body image. Body image for boys and girls can be a problem no matter what their body looks like. They could have the most athletic body in the school, and yet feel gross or fat. It is based on past experiences that make a person concerned about their body. It has nothing to do with their muscle, weight, or height.

What is Body Image? Formed at an early age. Usually influenced by: Parents, caregivers, peers, and life experiences. One must remember, every single body is different because of genetics which influence: Facial features, body shape, height, and weight. If every person ate the same thing and exercised the same, we would all look different. What is the ideal body weight or healthy body? We often think of body image in terms of physical appearance, attractiveness, and beauty. Our body image relates to how we feel about ourselves and what we think our bodies look like to others. What is the ideal body weight and healthy body? This is the weight that allows us to feel strong and energetic and lets us lead a healthy lifestyle.

What is the Ideal Body Weight? This is the weight that allows us to feel strong and energetic and lets us lead a healthy life. Someone with a healthy body has the energy to: Spend time with friends Participate in sports Concentrate on school or work.

Activity #3 Split off into four groups. In your group, you will assign a recorder and a speaker. Respond to a question that is assigned to you. How do I know what is a healthy weight for me? What diet really works? What causes eating disorders? How can I help my friend who might have an eating disorder? Teacher is to look at RM-5 for the answers to the questions on this slide. Give students 5 min. Max to go through this activity. Get a response from every group and give them the answers by the experts.

Stats on Eating Disorders in Canada A recent study showed that 27% of Ontario girls aged 12-18 are engaged in disordered food and weight behaviour. Eating disorders are now the third most chronic illness in adolescent girls. Almost one in every two girls and almost one in every five boys in grade 10 either was on a diet or wanted to lost weight. WHY?

Stats con’t Approximately 3% of women will be affected by and eating disorder during their lifetime. Factors believed to contribute to eating disorders are: Biological and personal factors Societies image of the perfect body Here are two examples of what advertising says is the perfect bodies. Men and Women

How Big is the Body Image Problem? Increases the risk for extreme body/weight control behaviours. Increased preoccupation with appearance and body dissatisfaction. Increased risk for engaging in dangerous practices to control weight and size. Can lead to more harmful behaviours and even death. Increased risk for developing disordered eating or and eating disorder. All of this can lead to extreme dieting (soup diet) or extreme exercise (3 hours a day or spending the whole day in the gym).

Positive and Negative Body Image People with +’ve body image exhibit: Self-confidence, energy, vitality and positive self-appraisal. Feelings of attractiveness and beauty. Trust and respect for their bodies. Freedom of expression with their bodies, not dependent on weight. People with negative body image describe: Dissatisfaction with their physical appearance. Belief that their appearance is being scrutinized and evaluated by others. Excessive emphasis on physical appearance in how they evaluate themselves. Distressing preoccupation with their bodies. Feelings of shame and/or embarrassment

Positive Body Image We have a +’ve body image when we have a realistic perception of our bodies. Healthy bodies come in many shapes and sizes, meaning physical appearance means little about character or value. A healthy body means that you keep our assessment of your body separate from your sense of self-esteem.

Negative Body Image BDD Muscle Dysmorphia (bigorexia) Over-preoccupation with an “imagined” physical defect in appearance. Usually nose, skin, or hair. Anxiety and/or depression Plastic surgery to “fix” the problem may occur. Muscle Dysmorphia (bigorexia) Over-preoccupation with the perception or feeling that one’s muscles are too small or too weak. Spend unrealistic amounts of time working out in the gym, and yet they don’t feel “good enough” Negative body image can cause more serious disorders such as body dysmorphic disorder and muscle dysmorphia. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) This is the over preoccupation with an “imagined” physical defect in appearance (that is, an individual thinks there is a problem with an aspect of his or her body that others don’t see. Most common focus is on the nose, skin, or hair. This causes stress for the individuals who have this problem, as well as family and friends around them. People who have this issue, have a feeling of anxiety or fall into a state of depression plus they may avoid social situations. Muscle Dysmorphia (bigorexia) Preoccupation that ones’ muscles are to small or to weak. In an attempt to avoid this self-perception, individuals with this disorder often spend unrealistic amounts of time working out in the gym. Both disorders are treatable with support from professionals.

Factors that Affect Body Image Standards set by society and the culture that surrounds us. Comments from family, friends, and others about our bodies, their bodies, and other people’s bodies. Self-esteem (view our bodies and evaluate ourselves) History of abuse, teasing, life changes, and physical changes that may be a result of puberty, medical problems, surgery or sport injuries. Images of idealized versus normal bodies.-

Eating Disorders Negative body image and body dissatisfaction increase risk. Anorexia or bulimia nervosa Perceive themselves as being larger than they actually are. Increase in dieting behavior. Depression, decreased self-confidence, increased feelings of anxiety, feelings of unattractiveness and persistent concern about weight. People with negative body image may: Engage in excessive body checking. Camouflage their size and shape with loose and bulky clothing. Avoid social situations that trigger physical self-consciousness. Avoid exposing their bodies. Experiencing problems with body image and body dissatisfaction place individuals at risk for the development of an eating disorder.

Causes of Eating Disorders Direct Risk Factor Indirect Risk Factor Biological Factor Gender, Metabolism, Appetite Regulation, Body Weight Temperament, Impulsivity, Gender Psychological Factors Poor body image, Eating attitudes, weight beliefs, over concern of appearance Poor self image, Inadequate coping mechanisms, Unresolved conflicts, deficits, Identity problems Developmental Factors People close to you have a disorder, trauma affecting bodily experience. Overprotection, Neglect, Felt rejection and criticism Social Factors Family attitude to eating, weight, Peer group attitude, Bodily insults and teasing. Family dysfunction, Bad peer experiences, values assigned to gender, poor support network. This is a table that lists the possible risk factors for the development of eating disorders.

How do Eating and Body Image Go Together? Eating disorders are internal conflicts about food and/or body size and shape. Healthy eating behaviours are associated with feeling confident about body shape and size. Disordered eating behaviours area associated with a preoccupation with appearance and an attempt to change body size through a focus on diets.

Symptoms of Eating Disorders Symptoms Eating Disorders Anorexia Bulimia Binge Eating Disorder Resistance to maintaining body weight or above minimal weight. Recurrent episodes of binge eating, accompanied by inappropriate compensatory behaviour. Binge eating without vomiting, exercise or laxatives. Intense fear of becoming fat or gaining weight. Self induced vomiting, use of laxatives, or excessive exercise Eat to fill a void. Individuals are usually obese. Note, that eating disorders often do not fall neatly into these categories and may take a variety of forms, from mild to severe. Treatment for eating disorders is important at any level of severity to reduce the risk of short-term and long-term problems.

How can Body Image Affect Personal Health? You will need a piece of paper for this following activity. Respond to the following questions: How can body image affect personal health? To help you, look at the handout “Eating Issues and Body Image Continuum” Where do you fit on the continuum? Why? Hand out the “Eating Issues and Body Image Continuum”.

Activity #4 Respond to the following questions on a piece of paper. What are three ways to boost body image? How can you change your body type? If you know people who are always comparing themselves to others in terms of appearance, what could you do or say to help? How could participating in physical activity contribute to positive body image? Hand out the following documents to students: “10 Will Powers for Improving Body Image” “20 Ways to Love Your Body”

Exposure to Mass Media and Weight Concerns Girls who were frequent readers of fashion magazines were two to three times more likely than infrequent readers. To diet to lose weight because of a magazine article. To exercise to lose weight because of a magazine article. To feel that magazines influence what they believe is the ideal body shape. Girls between Grades 5-12 69% reported that magazine pictures influence their idea of the perfect body shape. 47% reported wanting to lose weight because of magazine pictures.

Activity # 5 Answer one of the following questions in your journal. What have you learned today? Is there a question that still lingers in your mind that you need answered?