| Body Image and Self-Esteem
Volume
279, Issues in Society
The ‘body beautiful’ is an obsession in today’s age of media overload. Images of apparent human physical perfection bombard us from billboards, magazines, television, movies and the internet. A sense of self-esteem is a challenge for many people, even at the superficial level of one’s personal appearance. The causes of body dissatisfaction are however complex. The media alone does not contribute to eating problems and distorted self-image – factors can be genetic, biochemical, personal or social. The extent of eating disorders, bigorexia, body dysmorphic disorder, over-exercise and cosmetic surgery can all be manifestations of extreme poor self-image. This book explores the range of influences on body image for children, women and men, and looks at ways to promote positive body image and self-esteem.
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