Running Head: PERCEPTIONS OF BODY IMAGE

Perceptions of Body Image

Halil Rodriguez
The University of Texas at El Paso

PERCEPTIONS OF BODY IMAGE

Abstract
Body image has affected people all throughout history. Although, people affected by body image
have gained different perspectives along the way. Whether these several perceptions of body
image are positive or negative, they have been altered throughout history due to different
influencing factors. These influences on body image can range from culture to society, or even
the media. A recent survey conducted revealed that both genders find the media as a negative
influence on body image (Individual Body Image Perceptions", 2015). Determining whether the
these influences have positive or negative effects is what is being currently investigated. Current
research being conducted is trying to find different ways to promote a positive body image and
discourage negative body image, along with its negative effects. By doing so, future policies
involving body image encourage the healthy body ideal instead of the medias portrayal of a
healthy body. Promoting the healthy body ideal can help lead to an increase in positive body
image and self esteem.

PERCEPTIONS OF BODY IMAGE

Perceptions of Body Image

Body image is how a person feels about their own appearance. Body image itself has
existed since the creation of man. Nordqvist (2014) states that, "Throughout history, humans
have regarded the beauty of the human body as important." This quote supports the idea that
everyone has different views or perceptions of body image. These different views and
perceptions are constantly being changed and affected by various factors that influence body
image. Positive body image derives from one being happy with how they look and them feeling
physically healthy (Nordqvist, 2014). People who contain a positive body image end up having
a greater self esteem leading to a positive way of living. On the other hand, negative body image
is when one does not feel good about their body and they feel they don't live up to expectations
(Nordqvist, 2014). Negative body image, unlike positive body image, can lead up to body
disorders and low levels of self esteem. Many people that contain a negative body image also
contain high levels of body dissatisfaction. This tends to be the main issue among body image.
The perception of how one see's themselves is what is being influences by many factors.
Culture, media, and society are main contributors to one's body image and how they
perceive their own appearance. The main contributor however happens to be media. Everyday
people are being shown how to look by pictures of models depicting the "perfect body".
Nordqvist (2014) states that people with a negative body image are usually not being realistic.
These unrealistic models of health are shown everywhere. Whether people are on social media,
watching television, or driving by a billboard, everyone is exposed to these unrealistic
expectations. These unrealistic expectations lead up to people suffering from negative body
images self inducing disorders that derive from body dissatisfaction. These disorders include:
body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders, and somatoparaphrenia (Nordqvist, 2014). These

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disorders can be stopped by influencing the healthy body ideal. By teaching people of the
healthy body ideal, levels of body dissatisfaction among individuals can be decreased. Once
levels of body dissatisfaction are decreased, a positive body image can emerge. Due to the fact
body image is a growing issue three questions are taken into considerations:
1. What is the perception of body image throughout history?
2. What current research is being done concerning body image?
3. What changes will take place concerning the issue of body image?
This literature review will examine facts and credible research studies performed in order to
answer the questions stated above concerning body image.
What is the perception of body image throughout history?
The perception of body image varies through a variety of people. The one most people
agree with is the perception of one's own body. As stated by Heatherton & Hebl (1998), body
image is referred to as one's perception, thoughts, and feelings of one's physical appearance.
This definition of body image is portrayed universally. Heatherton & Hebl (1998) discussed how
body image mainly relies on self-evaluation, since it is one's perception, and it is influenced by
many factors. This perception of one's self can vary throughout various cultures around the
world. For example, a person's perception of their own body in the United States will not be the
same as a person's perception in China.
Body image also has become altered throughout the years. Body image of a person is not
the same as it was perceived fifty years ago. Various factors that all contribute to body image are
constantly changing thus altering body image along with it. Heatherton & Hebl (1998) describe
how Romans preferred thinness while the Middle Ages preferred larger women portrayed in
Rubenesque art. Also stated is that, "the meaning and definition of body image change over time
as a function of cultural and societal influences," (Heatherton & Hebl, 1998). This is able to

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explain the differences in body image within a variety of people throughout the world.
Nordqvist (2014) says that, "Over the last few hundred years, women have tended to be under
pressure to look nice, have tiny waistlines, and curvaceous bodies - often, the target ideal body
was an unnatural one." Nordqvist describes through the previous quote how a sense of peer
pressure can also lead to a person changing their own body image.
People tend to have either a positive body image or a negative body image. A positive
body image is when a person is happy and satisfied with their body while a negative body image
is when a person feels that their body does not meet up to expectations (Nordqvist, 2014). These
ideas of positive and negative body image are equivalent to Heatherton & Hebl's ideas of body
satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Both authors describe how a person's body image is influenced
by cultural, physical, and physiological factors. Some physical factors include skin color, hair
loss, body size, and body weight. Weight is usually the factor that influences body image in
most cases and usually a negative factor that can lead to disorders. Body dysmorphic disorder,
body integrity disorder, and somatoparaphrenia are some disorders that are linked directly to a
negative body image (Nordqvist, 2014). They may involve unhealthy eating and behaviors and
the excessive use of cosmetic surgery (Heatherton & Hebl, 1998). These disorders can be severe
towards health and can result in death if taken to extremes. Positive body image on the other
hand is the complete opposite. As stated by Heatherton & Hebl (1998) and Nordqvist (2014), the
perception of positive body image can be affected by being physically fit, being healthy, and
through self-acceptance. This sense of self-acceptance can help a person carry out various
everyday tasks with more confidence than that of a person with a negative body image.
Throughout history and today, the gender usually affected the most with body image problems
tends to be females. Nordqvist (2014) says, "Right from childhood until old age, females tend to

PERCEPTIONS OF BODY IMAGE

be more dissatisfied with their bodies than men." This can be supported since women look to
their bodies as decorations and seem to become more concerned about physical attributes
(Heatherton & Hebl, 1998). Men, according to Nordqvist, tend to be catching up to women.
Males usually tend to stress physical ability and if don't have much or decline in it, they may end
up gaining dissatisfaction within their body image (Heatherton & Hebl, 2014). Regardless body
image affects everyone throughout history, whether a person has a positive or a negative body
image tends to fall upon the person themselves and all the factors that influence that individual.
What current research is being done concerning body image?
Body image is usually perceived now in a negative way due to many problems that may
derive from it. Gillen (2015) states how most recent research on is based on body dissatisfaction
even though not everyone has body dissatisfaction. Diseases, such as anorexia nervosa , that can
derive from a negative body image are the driving force for research currently being performed.
Another force driving research on body image seems to be what causes a positive and negative
body image. Weight and body size is usually a factor that is found in almost all research
performed concerning this issue. However research is being done currently in order to find how
more mental and physical factors contribute to a persons' body image. Most of these mental and
physical factors are influenced by the media.
Television and other types of media have a different representation on the body image of
people. Media as a whole is a main influence on body image factors. Research done by Gillen
focused mainly on just factors that influence body image as a whole. Within Gillen's studies it is
shown how many psychological and physical factors are associated with body acceptance as a
whole. Two correlations were found: beneficial heath factors contribute towards a positive body
image and negative health factors contribute to a negative body image (Gillen, 2015). However

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unlike most studies performed, this study included physical factors not usually involved in past
studies. Examples include skin type and dieting behaviors. Gillen also used psychological
factors not commonly used, such as skin protection intentions, drive for muscularity, and level of
depression. Along with traditional factors such as body size and level of self esteem, plenty
results have derived from Gillen's research. The reason for including the different factors are
probably influenced by the perception of a positive body image shown in media today. Gillen
(2015) states that positive body image leads to an individual having more intentions to protect
their own body and health. These findings can be deemed relatable to society as models and
celebrities place their bodies as top priority for their jobs. People with lower positive body
image are more prone to depression, low self esteem, unhealthy dieting behaviors, and high
drive for muscularity (Gillen 2015). Physical attraction to a person and wanting to be similar to
their own likings contribute to a negative body image.
Rosenblum & Lewis realized how physical attraction provides a direct influence towards
body image. They performed research regarding body dissatisfaction and physical attraction
among adolescence. By getting participants aged thirteen, fifteen, and eighteen, they were able
to observe the correlations that relate to body dissatisfaction across an aging young adult. What
faces the young adults body image is not only influenced by media but by social factors as well.
Body dissatisfaction can be attributed to direct body parts especially in adolescence. Puberty
occurs among these ages and really can influence body image. Rosenblum & Lewis (1999)
stated that there was an increase in body dissatisfaction in body parts affected by puberty. When
body dissatisfaction increases, the level of attractiveness goes down as well. The study showed
that attractiveness was more modest at the years thirteen and eighteen (Rosenblum & Lewis,
1999). Rosenblum & Lewis (1999) however found that both genders had a more positive body

PERCEPTIONS OF BODY IMAGE

image at age thirteen than at age eighteen. This is probably so, because both genders experience
puberty between those ages.
Body image research has not really changed much in perspective as compared to twenty
years ago. However, more factors have been found such as those stated above that influence
body image. The media delivery of body image is constantly changing though. Such as the
internet, which is a huge contributor to positive and negative body image. However, since the
media gives off seemingly impossible depictions of a perfect body, the amount of body
dissatisfaction grows in many individuals. Many professionals however are focusing on trying to
change this increase of negative body image and create an even larger amount of individuals who
have a positive body image.
Figure 1: How do you perceive your body image?
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Male
Female

A survey was conducted with a sample size of 30 people; 15 male and 15 female. The survey
was conducted online among both genders aging from 17 to 20 years of age. Figure 1 displays
the answer to one of the questions of the survey, and shows that males have higher percentages
of negative body images within their own gender. Females however show that they have higher
levels of positive body images than negative along with 2 answers that were not sure ("Individual

PERCEPTIONS OF BODY IMAGE

Body Image Perceptions", 2015). The survey also revealed that 18 people have had the media
influence their body image as opposed to 12 people who claim the media has had no influence
("Individual Body Image Perceptions", 2015). All results from the survey supported the idea
that the media does have a large part in influencing body image among individuals.
What changes will take place concerning the issue of body image?
The portrayal of body image is on track towards change. Media is constantly influencing
several aspects of body image. Some in a positive way and some in a negative way. The way
media influences body image in a negative way is by giving of visuals of a seemingly perfect
body. The images of a perfect body given off leave many people with body dissatisfaction
among themselves. Croll (2005), found that young women have reported an increase to lose
weight after being shown magazines. Adolescence is exposed to several media outlets that push
messages on body image. Croll (2005) states that the average American spends 11.8 hours on
media every day. This average is probably off since advancements in technology have paved
way for more media such as, social media. Social media is the main way many Americans find
news and send it to others. Since this is so, many social media outlets release pictures of models
showing off their bodies in order to idealize their body type. However many magazines actually
photoshop their photos of models in order to make the model bodies more unrealistic. This
doesn't help anyone's body image and instead greatly contributes to lower self-esteem. All of
these negative factors just can possibly end up causing eating disorders that can be costly to
health.
Several advancements have been suggested in order to increase a positive body image.
Becker (2010) suggested that in order to decrease levels of body dissatisfaction, the healthy
body ideal had to be promoted. The healthy body ideal is nothing like the media's portrayal of

PERCEPTIONS OF BODY IMAGE

10

being thin and healthy, but instead having a physically and mentally healthy body. Becker
(2010) described, "fat talk" as anything that promotes the thin body ideal. However, Becker
(2010) also stated that five minutes of "fat talk" increases body dissatisfaction within women.
Even so Becker primarily focused her speech towards women, men also have experience body
dissatisfaction among medial ideals of the perfect body. The website article Positive and
Negative Body Image: Improving Self Esteem (2014), states that changing the way someone
thinks about their own body can actually improve body image. Becker (2010) put forth another
researchers' ideals and described how their research attempted to decrease body dissatisfaction in
young women. This really paved way for her part in increasing positive body image in women.
By promoting health ideals and explaining how it is different from the media's body ideals of
health. Positive and Negative Body Image: Improving Self Esteem (2014)supports Becker's idea
by stating that health and appearance are two different things. Both however tell everyone to
respect their bodies and accept themselves in order to prevent disorders such as anorexia nervosa
and bulimia nervosa.
The disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are a huge catalyst in the
promotion of body image. Croll (2005) states that poor body image leads to dieting, which can
later lead to several disorders. This can be a problem among adolescents due to them being
exposed to several media outlets that influence them constantly. Croll (2005) also stated that
teasing related to weight was associated as a contributing factor to eating disorders. Again,
adolescents can be at risk of this due to bullying. Regardless of all of these contributors to
disorders, the implications discussed in Becker's speech and the tips given in Positive and
Negative Body Image: Improving Self Esteem help decrease these contributors.

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Several media outlets will continue to display the seemingly impossible perfect body, which just
increases body dissatisfaction. Different ways to put an end to people wanting those bodies and
promoting their own health are emerging such as the promotion of plus-sized models on
magazines and promotion of a healthy nutrition. The several researchers and activists promoting
a positive body image are lighting the spark to this change. Soon self esteem levels will rise
along with body acceptance levels, leading towards a greater positive body image.
Body image is no new issue, although it has been growing in concern. Several new
research studies are being conducted concerning new factors that influence body image and how
to increase levels of body acceptance and positive body image. New breakthroughs will allow
for new methods to increase self esteem among individuals that have body dissatisfaction and
defeat people suffering from the disorders that derive from a negative body image. However,
more research remains to be conducted on ways to increase positive body image. New
advancements in this area will lead towards more methods and will help contribute to saving
several individuals from falling slave to a negative body image.

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References

Becker, C. (2010, December 27). Combating body dissatisfaction: the destructive impact [Video
file]. Retrieved from: http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDxSanAntonio-Carolyn-Becker-C
Croll, J. (2005). Body image and adolescents. In Guidelines for Adolescent Nutrition Services
(Ch13). Retrieved from: http://www.epi.umn.edu/let/pubs/img/adol_ch13.pdf
Gillen, M. M. (2015). Associations between positive body image and indicators of men's and
women's mental and physical health. Body Image, Vol. 13, 67-74. Retrieved from:
http://0-www.sciencedirect.com.lib.utep.edu/science/article/pii/S1740144515000030
Heatherton, T. F. & Hebl, M. R. (1998). Body Image. Encyclopedia of Mental Health, 1, 257-266
Retrieved from: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~thlab/pubs/98_Heatherton_Hebl_EMH.pdf
Nordqvist, C. (2014, September 17). "What is body image?." Medical News Today. Retrieved
from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249190.php.
Positive and negative body image: improving self esteem. (2014). Retrieved from:
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-info/body-image
Rodriguez, H. "Individual body image perceptions." Survey. 24 March 2015.
Rosenblum, G. D., Lewis, M. (1999). The relations among body image, physical attractiveness,
and body mass in adolescence. Child Development, Vol. 70, 50-64. Retrieved from:
http://www.jstor.org/stable/1132014