Body Image. A picture in our minds eye Belief about how others perceive us How we feel living in our bodies.

Body Image

Body Image

A picture in our mind’s eye

Belief about how others perceive us

How we feel living in our bodies

What is the “Ideal” body?Different standards for male and femaleDifferent for various ethnic and cultural groupsDefined by society, community, family . . .

What is “Ideal” has changed over time . . .

Body Image Throughout History

Prehistoric Fertility goddess

Wide hips highly desirable

Body Image Throughout History

120 BCVenus de Milo

Greek goddess

1400’s Botticelli’s Birth of Venus

Art depicted beauty – soft and curvaceous

Body Image Throughout History 1500’s

Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa

1600’sRubens’

Garden of Love

Body Image Throughout History

1880’s Plump body,

pale complexion Representing

wealth, abundance of food & refined lifestyle

Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon

Body Image Throughout History

Early 1900’s Corseted,

hour-glass look

Body Image Throughout History

1920’s Era of the flat-chested,

slim-hipped flapper

Body Image Throughout History 1950’s

Full-figured shapes of Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield

Typical models Height 5’8”Weight 132 lbs.

Body Image Throughout History 1960’s

The gaunt Twiggy look

Height: 5’7”Weight: 98 pounds

Body Image Throughout HistoryMiss America was normal weight in the 1920’s through early 60’s

Underweight since the mid 60’s

Body Image Throughout History 1970’s and 1980’s

Taller, thinner lookNo visible body fat Muscles highly toned

from hours of working out

Typical modelsHeight 5’8”Weight 117 lbs.

Body Image Throughout History Early 1990’s

Waif-like figure of Kate Moss

Pre-teen look in adult women

< 4% of women have this tall, very thin look naturally

Typical models Height 5’10” Weight 110

lbs

Body Image Throughout History Late 1990’s

Narrow hips yet large breasts

Rare combination without breast implants

Typical modelsHeight 5’10”Weight 110 lbs.

Body Image Throughout History 2000’s

Most girls and women do NOT look like this!Average model:

Height 5’8” – 5’11” Weight <120 lbs. % body fat <18%

The average North American woman:

Height 5’4” Weight 152 lbs. % body fat > 32%

Body Image – Culture matters

Women of color generally have a very positive body image and a broader definition of beauty than white women.

Body Image

African-American models and actresses often portray unrealistic thinness

Body Image

The “Ideal” Male

Tall 6’

Broad shoulders/large muscles

Narrow waist 30”

Average male model:

weighs 145#

15% body fat

Average Man:

5”10”

34-36”

weighs 170#

23% body fat

Body Image

Historical Male Body Image

Michelangelo's David looks more realistic than the muscle men of today.

Teens’ body image influenced by

Role models

Peers

Friends

Parents

Advertising

Impact of the Media

Technology impacts body imageBefore airbrushing

After airbrushing

a - tidied and highlighted hair b - reduced shine from skin c - cleaned up eyebrows d - changed eye color from brown to blue/applied "makeup" and whitened eyes e - lessened bags/shadows under eyes f - made lips fuller g - tidied jumper

Reality versus Illusion

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis poses for “More” Magazine as she really is and with retouching, Sept 2002.

Reality versus Illusion

"Even I don't wake up

looking like

Cindy Crawford."

-Cindy Crawford

Body Acceptance Men have a more positive

body image and overlook flaws in appearance more than women.

Do you agree . . .Women are judged more on appearance than men?Society’s standard of female beauty is higher and more inflexible?

Teens’ body image influenced by

Role models

Peers

Friends

Parents

Advertising

What messages do you get?

From your family? From your friends? From yourself?

About the “ideal” body?

About your body?

Even the toys you grew up with . . .

If Barbie were real . . .

1959

1971

2003

She would stand 6’ tall, weigh 101 lbs, wear a size 4, and her measurements would be 39-19-33.

If G.I. Joe were real . . .

His biceps would be 27”

He would have a 55” chest

What price is the “perfect” car?

Lamborghini Murcielago

What price is the “perfect” car?

$281,100

What price is the “perfect” body?

$$ Cosmetic surgery $$

$$ Personal Trainers $$

$$ Hairdressers $$

$$ Make-up artists $$

$$ Wardrobe $$

Pretty “high maintenance.” Is it worth it ??

What is Your Make and Model?

What would it be like if we all drove the same car?

Why do we strive to all look the same?

Isn’t uniqueness better?

What are your “signature” features?

What is Your Make and Model?

How do you define “attractive”?

How can we appreciate all our bodies do for us?

How can we respect external differences?

How can we emphasize internal qualities?

What are your first impressions?

The “25 cent Best Friend”

Fun to hang with Stylish hair Lean, not fat Dependable No pimples Keeps my secrets Popular Rich parents

Wears name brands Honest Straight A student Sense of humor No put downs Athletic Accepts me Has cool car

The “25 cent Best Friend”

Fun to hang with Stylish hair Lean, not fat Dependable No pimples Keeps my secrets Popular Rich parents

Wears name brands Honest Straight A student Sense of humor No put downs Athletic Accepts me Has cool car

Does poor body image matter?

Body image dissatisfaction affects our: mental health eating behavior physical activity behaviors weight management

Does body image matter?Poor body image and preoccupation with

weight is a risk factor for the development of eating disorders.

People who feel good about their bodies and respect and care for themselves,who feed themselves well

and enjoy being active,

are unlikely to develop eating disorders.

This Power Point Slide Show was created by Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RD as part of “Destination: Wellness,” a Nutrition Education Tool Kit for High School Students.

This project was funded by a 2002 TEAM Nutrition grant from the Department of Agriculture, and administered by the Maryland State Department of Education.