Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescent Females and Males - Essay Example

Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescent Females and Males Summary The article under consideration deals with a rather relevant issue concerning the origins and the factors preconditioning the level of body dissatisfaction in adolescent boys and girls. This problem has been widely examined and discussed as statistical data have been showing disturbing results recently with 46% of girls and 26% of boys feeling unsatisfied on some aspects of their appearance, especially weight and shape. This phenomenon needs further research and attention as it has already become commonplace in the Western societies and – what is more serious – may lead to mental distress, unhealthy eating habits and disposition for extreme alterations in appearance (Presnell). Beginning with defining the body image as a subjective self-evaluation of one’s physical appearance, the author of the article provides information on the key factors having a certain impact on body dissatisfaction development and associated risks that might arise from body dissatisfaction. In the course of researches, it was discovered that high levels of body dissatisfaction may result in low self-esteem, morbid willing to loose or gain weight, risks of disordered eating and depression as adolescence is a period of critical changes and vulnerability (Presnell). The key factors enumerated by the author include the harmful influence of media promoting certain beauty standards and convincing adolescents to conform; criticism and teasing that may worsen body dissatisfaction; biological factors that don’t conform to the expectations of the society; pubertal timing with either early or late maturation; lack of social support (especially on the side of the closest surrounding like parents; negative mood causing “selective attention to negative information” (Presnell) (about aspects of appearance in particular). Drawing a conclusion, the author emphasizes importance of further research in this area as being aware of the problem’s origins might help develop protecting and preventive tactics and factors. How can understanding the factors that increase the risk for body dissatisfaction help guide prevention efforts? In fact, each disorder or ailment needs to be examined from the inside first – this will provide necessary information on the origins of the disorder and factors that might cause, increase or reduce it. Being aware of internal mechanisms of disorder development, specialist will be able to affect needed details of an adolescent’s psyche. For instance, in our case, knowing of the impact of parent’s support or criticism on development of body dissatisfaction, one is able to define positive parental relations and support as one of the protective factors. What is the prevalence of body dissatisfaction? According to the data provided in the article, body dissatisfaction issues related to such appearance aspects as shape or weight are rather widespread especially in the Western society. The level of body dissatisfaction reaches 46% in girls and 26% in boys, while the percentage of adolescents satisfied with their appearance is rather low: 12% of girls and 17% of boys (Presnell). Compare body dissatisfaction as experienced by girls and boys. While compared in adolescent girls and boys, body dissatisfaction details have both common and distinctive features. First, according to the article, it is historically predetermined that thinness has always been considered more important aspect of female beauty standards. In other words, thinness has been perceived as a key criterion of women’s appearance. In boys, this has predominantly been weight and muscles. Another difference between boys and girls regarding body dissatisfaction lies in the effect of media on their perception of their bodies. While girls tend to be rather vulnerable to what media dictates, its effect of boys is weaker, however, boys consider opinions of their immediate surrounding like parents. In terms of pubertal timing, early physical maturation affects negatively on girls and positively on boys. In general, the main difference is that girls tend to yearn to thinness and boys tend to increase their body mass and muscles. Talking about common features, it should be mentioned that both boys and girls experience higher level of body dissatisfaction in case of lack of social support; for both genders failure to reach the ‘ideal’ of appearance leads to body dissatisfaction. What are several predictors of the development of body dissatisfaction? Among the key predictors of body dissatisfaction among adolescents there are biological features of the body that deviate from the ‘commonly accepted’ standards; lack of support, appreciation and motivation on the side of the immediate surrounding; teasing and criticism etc. Furthermore, appearance itself that doesn’t conform to the beauty standards typical for certain culture or promoted by the media. Extra question: What are interrelations between body dissatisfaction and eating habits? As body dissatisfaction is predominantly connected with shape and weight problems, eating behaviors are the primary sphere of its influence and thus its impact is many-sided and dynamic. Body dissatisfaction is experience by both underweight and overweight adolescents that tend to try to improve their appearances through dieting, sports activity, steroids use etc. In general, negative impact of body dissatisfaction might include eating disorders and unhealthy eating behaviors that may result in bulimia and anorexia. Trying to conform to the beauty standards, girls might go dieting against their physics of a maturing organism in order to reduce their body mass. Overweight and underweight boys usually experience high levels of body dissatisfaction, though overweight boys with low body satisfaction are more likely to go dieting instead of being involved in sports activity and increasing musculature. Nevertheless, there is a direct connection between body dissatisfaction and changes in eating behaviors, and these changes might result not only in positive, but also in negative consequences. Work Cited: Presnell, Katherine. Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescent Females and Males: Risk and Resilience, The Prevention Researcher, Vol. 14(3), 2007, p. 3-6. Read More