Abstract: Body image is a complex concept that includes many factors such as generation, culture, subculture, country of origin, personal experience, and social expectation. In this day and age of instant gratification and accessibility of information technology, the issues that stem from body image are vast and deep, often leading to dangerous mental and physical health risks, like depression, anxiety, dysmorphia, and eating disorders. The common ideals that are accepted in society today have evolved from what was considered trendy in different eras, like how in the United States, they have phased from having healthy bodies to flat stomachs. In adolescence, teenagers experience a lot of natural physical change while also being exposed to content in social media, making it difficult to not experience body dissatisfaction. Athletes also experience poor body image because in their environment, they are always surrounded by pressure from their peers and mentors. There are many types of beauty standards in different countries and cultures, but they all lead to unhealthy and unnatural strategies in order to meet these standards. For example, China, South Korea, Russia, and Western culture have all established the similar standard that having a slimmer body type is what makes someone beautiful. Manipulating one’s negative mindset to be positive will be difficult, but some things to keep in mind while befriending one’s body is to try and avoid discouraging content on social media and unhealthful ways to lose weight, discuss struggles with friends or professionals, and learn how other people challenged and overcame their body dissatisfaction. The purpose of this paper is to explore all the consequences and risks of pursuing what we refer to as an “ideal body type” in an effort to reduce unhealthy standards and make our way to a more balanced and equitable future.
Keywords: body image, mental health, mental illness, body shaming, beauty standards.
Title: Psychological, Physical, and Physiological Risks of Pursuing the Ideal Body Type
Author: Yoonah Choi
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
Vol. 10, Issue 4, October 2022 - December 2022
Page No: 196-203
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 14-October-2022
