chapter 9 Body Image

Body image refers to the mental image we have of our physical appearance. Many factors influence body image including: –how much we weigh, –how our weight is distributed, –our values about physical appearance, –our concepts of a good physical appearance, –our ethnic and cultural background, –what we see in others around us, –what we hear through the media, and –what we hear from others.

Unrealistic Expectations A survey found that 89% of women polled wanted to lose weight, while 22% of men wanted to gain weight. Only 29% of the women interviewed were overweight. In another study, girls in grades 5 though 12 said they wanted to lose weight because of the pictures in magazines.

Why Models Look So Perfect Movie stars may spend months working with a personal trainer and controlling their diets to “sculpt” their bodies before shooting begins. Clothes, makeup, and lighting are carefully chosen to create the desired image. Playboy magazine regularly slims models’ waists and thighs before publishing photos. After the photo or film is taken, editing refines the image to make it perfect.

College Students and Body Image The result of these influences is that 85% of first-year male and female college students desire to change their body weight (Williams, 1996). Fully 40% of adult men and 55% of adult women are dissatisfied with their body weight.

Cultural Influences When a large number of adolescent Caucasian, Latino, and African American males and females were studied, Caucasians reported a much higher percentage of body- image concerns. Latino and African American participants did not differ significantly from each other (Barry and Grilo, 2002). Poor peer socialization and family rigidity help create preoccupation with body size, slimness. Other studies of ethnic women show that socioeconomic differences may be important determinants in body- image perception.

Diet The diet industry in the United States relishes these attitudes about weight and body image. At any given time 48 million adult Americans, including 60% of adult women, are on a diet. Relatively few people have long-term success controlling their weight. We spend over $36 billion annually on diet products.

Bottom Line Long-term weight control is a function of a permanent change in one’s eating habits and incorporating physical activity into one’s lifestyle.

Value of Exercise When people try to lose weight by diet alone, they are less successful than when they try to lose weight by exercise alone. The most successful strategy combines diet and exercise. Exercise also helps tone muscles so that appearance is enhanced even if the scale shows no weight loss.

Value of Exercise continued Moderate exercise decreases appetite. Muscle tissue requires more calories to maintain itself than fat tissue does. As a result, resting metabolic rate, which accounts for approximately 70% of the calories we burn, increases, and greater weight loss occurs.

Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia nervosa is a condition in which an individual severely limits caloric intake. Anorexia nervosa is sometimes described as self-induced starvation. Most people with anorexia are White females under 25 years of age. Some people may feel that their weight is the only factor they can control in a world in which expectations of others seem difficult to fulfill.

Bulimia Nervosa Bulimia nervosa is a condition in which a person periodically eats a lot of food and then purges the food through vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, and exercise. Bulimics tend to be older than anorexics. Approximately 2% of the population is bulimic, with 95% of those being female.

Muscle Dysmorphia Muscle dysmorphia refers to body builders who, despite their muscular bodies and high fitness levels, consider themselves puny. Muscle dysmorphia is sometimes called “reverse anorexia.” When the quest for massive size overtakes one’s life, career, and relationships, self-esteem, ironically, can also suffer. As many as 10% of male bodybuilders and 84% of female bodybuilders may suffer from muscle dysmorphia.

Side Effects of Steroid Use— Women Lower voice Increased body and facial hair Male-pattern baldness Enlarged clitoris Decreased breast size Changes in or cessation of menstruation

Side Effects of Steroid Use— Men Testicular shrinkage Impotence Infertility Baldness Prostate cancer Development of breasts Difficulty or pain in urinating

Side Effects of Steroid Use— Women and Men Liver malfunction Kidney disorders Increased serum cholesterol levels A cessation of growth and bone development Aggression and violence Depression

Liposuction Liposuction is a technique for removing adipose (fat) tissue with a suction-pump device. A hollow suction tube attached to a special vacuum is inserted in small incisions in the skin. Liposuction is primarily used to remove fat around the abdomen, breasts, legs, face, and upper arms. It is the most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States. Liposuction costs between $1,600 and $2,500 for a single body location.

Breast Implants In recent years concerns have developed that implants can cause systemic disease and that the implants can rupture or fail. Although most researchers agree that implants are not the culprit described in the media, implant manufacturers have settled law suits from women implant users. In a culture that focuses extreme attention on the female breast, it is no wonder that some women are willing to undergo these procedures.

Myths and Facts Myth—Most Americans are satisfied with their bodies. Fact—Various studies have found Americans to be highly dissatisfied with their bodies. Myth—Exercise may use up calories and be good for losing weight, but it increases your appetite. Therefore, the best way to lose weight is by dieting. Fact—Studies have shown that the best way to lose weight is through a combination of diet and exercise. Exercise alone is a more effective weight loss method than is dieting alone. One reason for that is that exercise decreases one’s appetite.