Teen Body Image and Teen Self-Esteem

The Quest For The Ideal Body Amongst Teenagers Often Leads To Poor Self-Esteem

At one time, it was rare for body image issues to affect children. Today, teen body image concerns are burgeoning. Teen web sites and teen chat rooms dedicated to thinspiration, anorexia, and bulimia are frequent landing places for our teens, and have a great affect on their body image and self-esteem.

While teen body image related disorders typically have multiple causes, cultural factors appear to be among the leading causes of teen body image concerns. The media projects a teen body image of beauty that is not the norm. And when teens attempt to attain the unattainable body image, their failures lead to poor self-esteem.

Recognizing Your Teenager's Body Image and Self-Esteem Issues

First, it is important to understand what is body image. Body image is the way we feel about our bodies and our appearance. It's how we perceive ourselves when we look in the mirror; and it's how we feel living in our own bodies.

A positive body image is about accepting yourself as you are and feeling good in the bodies we have. It's about embracing our perfection and our imperfections. Teenagers who have a negative body image dislike just about everything about their looks, regardless of the reality. In these cases, teens see themselves as too fat, ugly, flabby, constantly comparing themselves to others.

Body image greatly affects a teenager's self-esteem. Teen self-esteem is about valuing yourself, feeling worthwhile, having a sense of identity and self-worth. Teenagers who have a healthy body image and high self-esteem will enjoy life more.

Teenage girls are not the only ones who worry about body image. While there is certainly more pressure on girls to look a certain way, teenage boys are feeling that pressure, too about their body image. While teenage girls think they should be model thin, teenage boys think they should look like athletes.

When The Desire To Change One's Body Image Become A Serious Concern Amongst Teenagers

Most teens have some feature or body type they wish they could change. It's when that dream body image becomes an obsession that the warning signals should be addressed. Other warning signs to watch for revolve around eating disorders. Changes in eating behavior are often a sign that the teenager has body image issues.

Learn More About Teen Body Image and Teen Self-Esteem Issues

You will find additional information about teen body image and teen self-esteem on the KidsTerrain web site at http://www.kidsterrain.com. Visit these FAQs pages, suggested reading lists, and webinars for more information on teen body image and self-esteem.