Body imageis a key component of a persons overall sense of self.
Its also complex, and impacted by so many factors.
Some are often misused or misunderstood.
People with anorexia typically restrict the number of calories and the types of food they eat.
Some also exercise compulsively, purge via vomiting and laxatives, or binge eat.
body imageThe picture that you have in your mind of your body as a whole.
This deemphasizes the importance and relevance of ones body on self-esteem and value.
Heinemann and some other body image experts prefer the concept of body neutrality over body positivity.
It promotes the idea that you are so much more than your body, she says.
In other words, body percept is how you see your physical body in your mind’s eye.
body positivityFeeling positive toward ones body and confident in oneself, Heinemann says.
This includes feeling positively about how your body looks, as well as about what it does for you.
Body positivity feels unattainable for many people, so Heinemann recommends body neutrality as an alternate approach.
Its important to note that self-induced vomiting is not the only compensatory behavior that might indicate bulimia.
Binging and purging less frequently than this is still a form of disordered eating and should be taken seriously.
In other words, you could experience disordered eating without having a full-blown eating disorder.
Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.
ARFID, pica, and rumination disorder are not typically associated with body image issues.
fat-shamingFat-shaming is the act or practice of criticizing or mocking someone perceived as fat or overweight, according toMerriam-Webster.
orthorexia nervosaOrthorexiais an obsessive concern with eating a healthy or pure diet, according to theAPA Dictionary of Psychology.
The diet is typically very restrictive and more focused on wellness than weight loss, adds the APA.
Individuals who have orthorexia may insist on eating only certain healthy foods or avoid certain food groups altogether.
This often results in extremely low caloric intake, risk of malnutrition, and in extreme cases, death.
Orthorexia nervosa is not officially recognized as an eating disorder in theDSM-5.
self-confidenceSelf-confidence can also be described as self-assurance, notes theAPA.
It involves trust in ones abilities, capacities, and judgment.
Self-confidence is how confident you are in your own ability or skills and in yourself, Schiff says.
Its about appreciating and valuing yourself, and how much you believe in your own abilities, she adds.
Self-image includes body image, but also encompasses your feelings about aspects of yourself beyond your body.
thin idealThe thin ideal is the concept of the ideal slim and skinny body and physique, Schiff says.
This ideal is unattainable and unrealistic for the vast majority of people.
