Body Image Depression

Depression starts to rise in girls around the ages of 13 to 14. Girls start to show a consistent higher rate of depression than boys (Nolen-Hoeksema & Girgus, 1994). Body dissatisfaction is an indicator in adolescence for depression and low self-esteem. In a study by Paxton, Neumark-Sztainer, Hannan, and Marla E. Eisenberg it was shown that this is a spiral relation. This means self-esteem could predict body dissatisfaction and depression, or depression could predict self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction, as well as body dissatisfaction brings an indicator for low self-esteem an depression (2006).

This raises the question about gender difference and the concept of body image and prevalence of

Many studies have connected negative body image to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. In most cases, the subjects were not even overweight. The real problem is the body image the world places upon them, not the people themselves. This is especially prevalent today, with the media and internet forcing these image on Americans even more. In almost all cases of these there is a direct correlation to negative body

The factors that affect the dissatisfaction with body image are that of the ideals of

A negative body image is associated with both anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Patients with binge-eating disorder also report significant amounts of distress over body image (Rosen, 1995).

Body image is ideal to every teen particularly in such individualistic society. It is generally determined by an individual’s perception and judgment of size, shape, weight, and any other aspect of body which relates to the physical appearance. Young people in today’s society allow their physical appearance to be a dominant factor of their daily lives. Media, promoting slim and/or masculine figures in posters and commercials, plays a big role towards the influence, but it’s not the only source. Family and friends also play an important role. Commentary from family or friends about physical appearance can also influence ones self- esteem negatively. Some of the negative effects of theses sources can lead to health issues, depression, and social discomfort. Therefore it is very important that one makes an informed decision on what they want to be.

Swanson, S. A., ScM, Crow, S. J., M.D., & Grange, D. L., PhD. (2011). Prevalence and Correlates of Eating Disorders in Adolescents Results From the National Comorbidity Survey Replication Adolescent Supplement. Arch Gen Psychiatry,68(7), 714-723.

Past studies that were analyzed prior to this study showed that these emotions were internalized symptoms of suicide. Emotions of insufficiency, personal image dissatisfaction mixed with anxiety was proven to be the precursors of binge eating behaviors and suicidal outcomes in approximately 313 females. Further studies extended this question on to teachers, parents and children. These subjects were interviewed as well on their levels of depression and satisfaction with physical appearance were examined and compared to previous research. In essence, when the research question was evaluated and data was compared results showed that women who were not happy with the way they looked were significantly more prone to developing depression and anxiety symptoms at an adolescent age into young adulthood. In addition, results also showed that such drastic eating behaviors ended in either suicide thoughts or actual suicide. This link between binge eating and suicide sheds a light on prevention for people suffering from eating disorders, anxiety, lack of self-esteem and other things that could potentially lead to more intense feelings then causing suicidal

Body image dissatisfaction is increasingly being recognized as an important target for public health action (Paxton, 2000). Research evidence links body dissatisfaction to physical and mental health concerns, especially, but not exclusively, in women.

This study suggests “that body dissatisfaction may mediate the relationship between overweight and depression” (Chaiton, 2009). It goes on to suggest that the relationship found between obesity and depression is differentiated by gender because of the difference in societal expectations placed on women and men (Chaiton, 2009). The study concluded that females experience body dissatisfaction almost solely when they believe they are overweight, whereas both males who believe that they are under or overweight experience body dissatisfaction which can in all cases lead to some level of depression (Chaiton, 2009).

Low self-esteem plays a prominent role in many multifactorial theories of the etiology of eating disorders.

depression is significantly associated with high body image dissatisfaction, high use of avoidance body image coping strategies and less use of positive rational acceptance coping strategy. This means that people who have negative thoughts and feelings about their appearance, less likely experience depression if they use positive rational acceptance coping strategy to regulate negative. In comparison, those who have negative thoughts and feelings about their appearance, more likely experience depression, if do not desire to use of positive rational acceptance coping strategies.

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Beginning with, depression and eating disorders, which falls into the category of mental health issues, affects women through two main routes. First, being “direct and overt and involves SO [sexual objectification] experiences. The second path is indirect and subtle and involves women’s internalization of SO experiences or self-objectification” (Szymanski, 8). Research done by Fredrickson and Roberts, from the American Psychological Association, found that “women to varying degrees internalize this outsider view and begin to self-objectify by treating themselves as an object to be look at and evaluated on the basis of appearance” (Szymanski, 8). In essences, this internalization of self-objectification leads the person to plummet into a spiral of depression, due to the overwhelming anxiety that women have regarding their physical appearance and pressures of meeting the cultural standards of beauty, that mass media has implemented into our society. The internalization of self-objectification not only leads to depression, but has also been found to be linked with eating disorders. It has been found that among adolescent

Consequently, feeling pessimistic about oneself consistently can lead to depression. Research shows, “mental health issues are more common for those who have experienced weight discrimination; the risk of becoming depressed is nearly three times as high” (“What Exactly is Fat Shaming”). While persistently dwelling on not being the right size, shape, or color, one cannot be happy. Not only does the media’s body shaming make one feel unworthy, but it causes one to worry and stress about trying to achieve the standards the media places. Excessive stress can cause physical issues such as over-eating or acne, increasing the negative feelings a woman has about her appearance. As stated in research, “overweight and obese people experience stress when they are harassed about their size, which causes them to eat more food and pack on even more weight” (“What Exactly is Fat Shaming”). As the weight from stress eating increases, so does the criticism of one’s body, making mental issues grow. A boost in mental issues, like depression or body dysmorphia disorder, can lead to worse scenarios such as suicide. Joel Arak states, “suicidal impulses and attempts are much more common in teenagers who think they are too fat or too thin, regardless of how much they actually weigh, a study found.” No matter how many people compliment and encourage someone, the abuse and slandering of few stands out more, building on one’s negative thoughts or feelings.