• Penis Development in Teens
• Teens and Healthy Teeth
• Teens and Puberty
• Teenage Menstruation Problems
• Teens and Skin Care
• Teens and Healthy Bones
• Teens and Hair Lice
• Dealing with Teen Fatigue
• Eye Care for Teenagers
• Teens and Exercise

Body Image

Everyone struggles with greatest indirect role models are celebrities  their body image, but for teens, there can be even greater pressure to look a certain way. There are a number of different influences and overall, these can lead to the development of unhealthy habits in teens. This article will explore teen body image from the following angles:

• What influences teen body image
• The effects of poor body image in teens

What Influences Teen Body Image

There are various factors that can influence teen body image, but the greatest influences tend to be teens’ closest family, friends and the media. Once perceived norms are established, they can try to fit into that specific criteria.

Body Image and Personal Influences

Typically for teens, the greatest influences are their peers. They look at each other for norms, and there can be peer pressure to look a certain way. Teens who are not able to wear the same type of clothes, or even share clothes with their friends may develop body image issues. This is something that you have probably experienced as a teen, but people you might think don’t influence you are your parents. The reality is that hearing a parent, especially a mother, if you are a teenage girl complain regularly about her weight and own body image can influence your feelings about your own. Whether or not you have close ties to your parents, they do have an influence on your choices.

Media and Body Image

There are many images around teens and often the greatest indirect role models are celebrities and other prominent figures that appear in magazines and on TV. There is definitely more of an “ideal” body image conveyed even today. Unfortunately, this does not mean that all teens will have that body while they are still healthy, although some of the role models may be. It’s important to understand health and not be encouraged just because you see certain body types on the pages of magazines.

Effects of Poor Body Image and Teens

Poor body image can have a number of physical and emotional effects upon teens and can have a big impact on their lives. The above pressures certainly contribute to both.

Physical Effects of Poor Body Image

Teens who struggle with body image may go to unhealthy measures to try to get their perceived ideal figure. While being healthy is important, there is a difference between physical health and going to the extreme. Everyone has their own ideal weight and body shape for themselves; it’s individual. Teens who take unhealthy steps to change their bodies, through diets, exercise and more can have adverse effects upon their health.

Emotional Effects of Poor Body Image

Teens can put a lot of pressure on themselves and their body image. When they have poor body image, they are prone to mood swings, they do not eat right and they can become socially withdrawn if they feel like they do not fit in, and they can certainly have other emotional struggles.