by Sophie Medlin
Body image is a term that is used to define how we think or feel about our bodies. With social media now saturated with flawless, photoshopped and surgically enhanced physiques, our body image is unsurprisingly worse than ever.
Handsome Muscular Men, Bodybuilder Lifting Weights.
GETTY
Studies have shown that children as young as 5 start to express dislike for their bodies and a report from The Mental Health Foundation has shown that 1 in 8 adults have had suicidal thoughts over the way they look.
Social media undoubtedbly has a huge role to play in this and Instagram has been reported to be the worst site for body image issues.
Most of the bodies we see on Instagram and in the media fall into three categories:
Athletic girl in the pink tank top performing a shoulder press exercise, showing abs.
GETTY
Most people could not achieve the body shapes they are encouraged to aspire towards because they are either unnatural or genetically out of their reach.
The trend to aim for a thigh gap is a great example. Dr. Esther Fox is a Physiotherapist who is is involved in the imaging of pelvic muscles . She concludes that
"a thigh gap is unachievable for 80% of women at a healthy weight due to the shape of their pelvis, femurs and the presence of muscle on the inner thigh".
Despite this, almost every image we see of women's bodies will depict a thigh gap which is often accompanied by an unfeasible large bum. We're encouraged to believed this bum is achieved through squatting (just buy her workout plan!). Ironically, squatting will actually build inner thigh muscles which closes the thigh gap (get a refund on her workout plan).
CT Scan of pelvic bone with both hip joint 3D rendering image for diagnosis fracture of hip joint.
GETTY
Another example is women with six pack abs. It has been known for many years that female athletes can suffer with poor health as a result of low levels of body fat. We generally assume that a woman's abdominal muscles become visible at around 16-19% body fat. We also know that hormonal disturbances can lead to reduced fertility when body fat percentages are under 22% in women. That being said, women are still excessively exercising every day to achieve a body that is ultimately not conducive to health. Shockingly, this is being encouraged by our Instagram "heroes".
While body image was considered to be largely a women's issue for many years, men now are under more pressure than ever to achieve a body shape that is almost certainly enhanced. There is far less research on men and body image but speak to anyone in the know about fitness models and body builders and they'll tell you that use of steroids and testosterone supplements in the industry is rife. Despite this, boys and men are encouraged to just work out more (buy his workout plan!) or eat more protein (buy his supplements!) to achieve what is unlikely to be physiologically possible.
Friends leaning to wall using smartphones
GETTY
Naturally, convincing the world that their bodies aren't good enough is a profitable business. Weight loss plans and products, exercise regimens, surgical enhancement procedures and make-up brands all do very well out of our poor body image. What does not do well is our mental health (and bank balance).
The absurdity of these impossible beauty standards is highlighted by the global spend on skin lightening products which is set to reach £24 billion by 2024 and the fake tan market which is at around £15 million. With so many people trying to change their skin colour to fit the shade that the beauty industry has decided is appropriate for us
, it is easy to see how our self perception has become so damaged.
Beautiful fitness athlete woman drinking water after work out exercising on sunset evening summer in beach outdoor portrait.
GETTY
So if we can accept how unhealthy and illogical our 'norm' has become, how can we heal our body image and make things better for the future?
There are a few basic steps you can take:
Ultimately, remember to always choose health over aesthetics.
Mental Health Awareness
Body image is a term that is used to define how we think or feel about our bodies. With social media now saturated with flawless, photoshopped and surgically enhanced physiques, our body image is unsurprisingly worse than ever.
Handsome Muscular Men, Bodybuilder Lifting Weights.
GETTY
Studies have shown that children as young as 5 start to express dislike for their bodies and a report from The Mental Health Foundation has shown that 1 in 8 adults have had suicidal thoughts over the way they look.
Social media undoubtedbly has a huge role to play in this and Instagram has been reported to be the worst site for body image issues.
Most of the bodies we see on Instagram and in the media fall into three categories:
- Photoshopped
- Surgically enhanced
- A genetic lottery win
Athletic girl in the pink tank top performing a shoulder press exercise, showing abs.
GETTY
Most people could not achieve the body shapes they are encouraged to aspire towards because they are either unnatural or genetically out of their reach.
The trend to aim for a thigh gap is a great example. Dr. Esther Fox is a Physiotherapist who is is involved in the imaging of pelvic muscles . She concludes that
"a thigh gap is unachievable for 80% of women at a healthy weight due to the shape of their pelvis, femurs and the presence of muscle on the inner thigh".
Despite this, almost every image we see of women's bodies will depict a thigh gap which is often accompanied by an unfeasible large bum. We're encouraged to believed this bum is achieved through squatting (just buy her workout plan!). Ironically, squatting will actually build inner thigh muscles which closes the thigh gap (get a refund on her workout plan).
CT Scan of pelvic bone with both hip joint 3D rendering image for diagnosis fracture of hip joint.
GETTY
Another example is women with six pack abs. It has been known for many years that female athletes can suffer with poor health as a result of low levels of body fat. We generally assume that a woman's abdominal muscles become visible at around 16-19% body fat. We also know that hormonal disturbances can lead to reduced fertility when body fat percentages are under 22% in women. That being said, women are still excessively exercising every day to achieve a body that is ultimately not conducive to health. Shockingly, this is being encouraged by our Instagram "heroes".
While body image was considered to be largely a women's issue for many years, men now are under more pressure than ever to achieve a body shape that is almost certainly enhanced. There is far less research on men and body image but speak to anyone in the know about fitness models and body builders and they'll tell you that use of steroids and testosterone supplements in the industry is rife. Despite this, boys and men are encouraged to just work out more (buy his workout plan!) or eat more protein (buy his supplements!) to achieve what is unlikely to be physiologically possible.
Friends leaning to wall using smartphones
GETTY
Naturally, convincing the world that their bodies aren't good enough is a profitable business. Weight loss plans and products, exercise regimens, surgical enhancement procedures and make-up brands all do very well out of our poor body image. What does not do well is our mental health (and bank balance).
The absurdity of these impossible beauty standards is highlighted by the global spend on skin lightening products which is set to reach £24 billion by 2024 and the fake tan market which is at around £15 million. With so many people trying to change their skin colour to fit the shade that the beauty industry has decided is appropriate for us
, it is easy to see how our self perception has become so damaged.
Beautiful fitness athlete woman drinking water after work out exercising on sunset evening summer in beach outdoor portrait.
GETTY
So if we can accept how unhealthy and illogical our 'norm' has become, how can we heal our body image and make things better for the future?
There are a few basic steps you can take:
- Delete the social media accounts you follow that use their bodies to sell you products or services.
- Follow accounts offering balanced and scientific information on health and wellness (fully clothed
). - Explore the world of Body Positive influencers
(check out @scarrednotscared and @sofiehagendk). - Speak nicely about your body, especially around others.
- Find a way to eat and be active that feels like pleasure, not punishment (check out @notplantbased and @foodandpsych).
- Take notice of all the normal bodies around you and know that you're normal too.
Ultimately, remember to always choose health over aesthetics.
Mental Health Awareness
social media is toxic mam
