Body image distressis often seen as a symptom of aneating disorder.
So how can we understand the relationship between body image and eating disorders?
This article discusses how body image and eating disorders are connected and some treatments that can help.
Watch Now: Common Signs of an Eating Disorder
What Is Body Image?
Negative body image often emerges during childhood.
Studies show that approximately 50% of preadolescent girls and 30% of boys dislike their bodies.
Around 60% of adult women and 40% ofadult menhave a negative body image.
It was found to be so widespread among women that it was determined to be normative or normal.
This over-evaluation of shape and weight is a symptom of some, but not all, eating disorders.
Ones self-evaluation being disproportionately influenced by body shape and weight is consistent with a diagnosis of eitheranorexia nervosaorbulimia nervosa.
Thus, it is a common target for prevention efforts.
Almost universally, weight recovery and behavioral changes appear to precede psychological recovery.
A variety of interventions have been designed to target a negative body image.
For example, cognitive-behavioral treatments and media literacy programs often include psychoeducation.
Techniques used in media literacy interventions include education and advocacy training.
Strategies also focus on building healthy coping skills.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducational strategies teach individuals about issues related to negative body image including its causes and consequences.
Psychoeducational strategies are often used in combination with one of the other types of interventions.
Such interventions seek to increase appreciation for non-appearance-based aspects of oneself.
have a go at write something daily that is positive about your body.
At first, It may be hard, but it will get easier with practice.
Instead, read body-positive blogs and follow body-positive role models.
You may want to create abody-positivePinterest board.
Its also a good idea to stop following social media sites that promote the thin or fit ideal.
This misguided exercise increases misery in the present and does nothing to increase motivation.
Instead, buy at least a few essential items that fit now and make you feel good.
Most people find that this makes them feel more confident and reduces anxiety and self-disparagement when getting dressed.
Avoidance and body checking only perpetuate anxiety.
The goal should be moderation.
Those who avoid should practice exposure, and those who obsessively check should stop.
Exposure can also be gradual.
For example, wear sleeveless shirts around the apartment for increasing periods before eventually venturing outside wearing them.
People are encouraged to engage in activities that actively resist cultural pressures toward the thin ideal.
This may not be possible.
A more reasonable goal for some might be to work toward appreciating and accepting their bodies.
Body image will not likely improve without effort, and the above activities must be performed over time.
Improving body image is an appropriate goal fortherapy, whether or not an individual is experiencing disordered eating.
Vannucci A, Ohannessian CM.Body image dissatisfaction and anxiety trajectories during adolescence.J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol.
2013;(1):11. doi:10.1186/2050-2974-1-11
Cornelissen PL, Tovee MJ.Targeting body image in eating disorders.Curr Opin Psychol.
2015;10(9):e0139177.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0139177
Beresin EV, Olson CK.Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Media.