The document discusses body image and factors that influence it based on student responses. Students said body image means how they feel about their appearance and health, and is influenced by social media, celebrities, and family. They care for their body through exercise, nutrition, and self-care. Most felt body image is based on both appearance and how one feels internally. The document defines positive and negative body image and lists contributing factors like media and culture. Statistics show most women and an increasing number of men are dissatisfied with their bodies. Ways to improve body image included focusing on health over looks and surrounding oneself with positive influences.

1. BODY IMAGE
Dr. Patricia Kreider
Brooke Harrison, B.A.

2. YOUR OPINION
 Questions asked to Alvernia students:
 What does body image mean to you?
 What sources influence how we feel about body image?
 In what ways do you care for your body and keep it healthy?
 Is body image based only on the way we look?
 What was your reaction to some of the answers?
 Did anything stand out to you?
 Any other reactions to the questions?

3. WHATDOESBODYIMAGEMEAN
TOYOU?

4. “I think as long as
you are happy with
the way you look
and are trying to
be healthy is all
that matters”
“How you
present
yourself to
others”
“The way a person
feels about their body.
What a person sees
when he or she looks
in the mirror.”
“Body image
shows how
you take care
of yourself.”
“The way you look;
body type not too
important, do you care
what other people
think but not to an
extreme.”
“It’s the way
we-and
others-view
our physical
selves.”
“The way we
portray ourselves
or how the media
make us feel we
have to look”
“Artistic”
“How I see myself based
on my self esteem and how
happy I am with myself” “The way
you look”

5. What
sources
influence
how we
feel about
body
image?

6. “Weight, height,
skin tone, hair,
social media,
popular kids,
celebrities”
“Social media,
other people”
“Watching models on
television. Victoria’s
Secret models. Seeing
how thin is in.”
“Media-fashion-
entertainment”
“The media (including
TV, magazines, radio),
family, friends, all
influence our body
image.”
“Media of all forms.
Magazines, TV,
movies. Also, our
families and
cultures.”
“Magazines,
television,
media”
“I often find myself comparing
my body to my friends and
family members but have
started to realize you cannot
compare too anyone.”
“Media”
“Media because
we always see
models &
bodybuilders
who we want to
look like”

7. In what
ways do
you care
for your
body
and
keep it
healthy?

8. “Eat less, one-
a-day vitamins,
not binging”
“Exercises that
are fun and
work for me”
“I try to eat healthy
and exercise at least
3 times a week”
“Go to the gym and
eat health and
watch things I do,
like take the steps
instead of the
elevator”
“Eat healthy,
exercise, stay
away from sweets
and sugary
things”
“I workout regularly,
eat healthy, and
keep good hygiene”
“I have been
exercising more
frequently. I try to
watch what I eat.”
“Eat healthy,
work out,
shower, and
relax”
“I exercise
daily and eat
a balanced
diet
sometimes”
“I try to eat properly and
maintain a good outlook
on myself”

9. Is body
image
based
only on
the way
you
look?

10. “The way you
feel”
“Yep”
“I think it is based
on the way you
look and how you
feel about the
way you look”
“I feel body image is
more about personality
too and how we want
people to see how we
feel about ourselves.”
“No, it’s how you
feel about your
looks as well”
“Body image is how someone
feels about themselves. If a
person is uncomfortable in their
skin they will not feel good
about their body image. It is
mental and physical”
“It’s based on how
you perceive or how
you think society
perceives your
physical build.”
“No! If I feel
good, then I look
good. But a
good outfit helps,
for sure”
“No”
“No, also the
way you feel
about your body”

11. BODY IMAGE
 Definition
 How you feel about your body, including height, weight, shape,
and weight
 How you sense and control your body as you move
 How you feel in your body, not just about your body
 Negative Body Image: a distorted perception of your
shape, or feelings of discomfort, shame, or anxiety
about your body
 Positive Body Image: a true perception of your
appearance-you see yourself as you really are and you
like yourself
 Contributing factors
 The media and popular culture
 Family, community, and cultural groups
 Physiological and psychological factors

12. STATISTICS
 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies and
resort to dieting to achieve ideal body shape
 58% of college girls feel pressure to be a certain
weight
 Only about 5% of women naturally possess the
body type often portrayed by Americans in the
media
 Male body image concerns have dramatically
increased over the past three decades from 15% to
43% of men being dissatisfied with their bodies

13. BODY IMAGE CONTINUUM

14. TRUE OR FALSE
How you look is more important
than who you are

15. TRUE OR FALSE
Anyone can be slender and
attractive if they work at it

16. TRUE OR FALSE
Appearance is more important than
health

17. WAYS TO IMPROVE
 Appreciate all your body can do
 Keep a top ten list of things you like about yourself
 Look at yourself as a whole person
 True beauty is not simply skin deep
 Surround yourself with positive people
 Shut down negative voices in your head
 Wear comfortable clothes
 Be a critical viewer of social and media messages
 Do something nice for yourself
 Do something to help others instead of worrying
about food, calories, and your weight

18. RESOURCES
 On Campus:
 Faculty/Staff
 Clergy
 Health and Wellness
 Counseling Services
 Off Campus:
 Friends and Family
 Doctors
 Counselors
 Support Groups
 Helpful Websites:
 http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
 http://bi3d.tridelta.org/Home
 http://www.bodygossip.org/
 http://www.berealcampaign.co.uk/home/