Importance Of Body Image Research Articles

The importance of body image and aesthetic medicine in systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is a progressive fibrotic autoimmune disease which mainly affects young women causing fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. In systemic sclerosis patients, facial and hand alterations are significant as these may have an impact on body image. In fact, systemic sclerosis could cause disfigurement of the most visible parts of the body, hindering self-confidence and quality of life. Therefore, the assessment of body image in systemic sclerosis is crucial in order to optimize a tailored care of the patient. In the near future, the creation of a pathway involving dedicated specialists (psychologists, physiotherapists, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons) should become an integral part of the disease management.

Body Image and Eating Behaviour in Adolescents Loving Korean Wave Culture

The Korean wave has developed into a popular culture in the global community, especially adolescents in the last two decades. Cultural programs that include idols/bands, movies, dramas, variety shows, and webtoons are in great demand. The image of Korean women can influence adolescents' perceptions of ideal body shapes and eating behaviors. This study aims to analyze correlations between Korean culture viewing habits with body image and eating behavior among adolescents in West Java. This research is a cross-sectional study, conducted in West Java during April 2023 using the online structured questionnaire. The total subjects of this research were 467 adolescents. The results of the study stated that the subjects in this study were women (81.2%), college students (66.6%), Korean show enthusiasts (66.6%), Kpop enthusiasts (68.3%), Kdrama enthusiasts (77.5%), and webtoon enthusiasts (50.3%). Most of them thought that Korean idols were attractive (96.4%), and sometimes they want theirs body shape as their idols (46.5%). There were differences in body image and eating behavior among K-show (p=0.046 & p=0.039), Kpop (p=0.048, p=0.027, p=0.024, & p=0,000), and Kdrama enthusiasts (p=0.026) but there were no differences between enthusiasts of webtoon. Our findings show the Korean wave culture is one of the causes of adolescents experiencing body dissatisfaction, which is an important predictor of eating problems. Awareness of the importance of positive body image and healthy weight control behavior concepts is necessary.

Use of Social Media, Satisfaction with Body Image, and the Risk of Manifesting Eating Disorders

Eating disorders in adolescents are an increasingly important issue nowadays. Although they have been shown to be a pathology with multifactorial causes, the objective of our study is to determine the degree of influence that body dissatisfaction and the use of social media (time and type) might have on the risk of manifesting eating disorders. To perform this, the Sick Control One Fat Food scale was used as part of a randomized survey carried out among 12 schools in Almería (Spain). The sample consisted of 605 students in Compulsory Secondary Education between the ages of 12 and 17 years (M = 14.27; SD = 1.44), 48.42% female and 51.52% male. Cross-tabulation tables were constructed to observe the relationship of sex and age with the risk of manifesting EDs, and, subsequently, a two-factor ANOVA was performed using the risk of suffering from an eating disorder as a dependent variable. The results show that 29.3% of the respondents express an elevated risk of suffering from an eating disorder. There are no significant differences regarding sex, but there are differences regarding age. It was also observed that dissatisfaction with body image is a significant risk factor, but not the time that young people spend on social media. Furthermore, the type of content displayed on social media has a significant influence, both independently and together with body dissatisfaction. The main conclusion highlighted in this study relates to the importance of self-perceived body image (satisfaction and dissatisfaction) and its relationship with the type of content seen on social media. For this reason, it is essential to work on self-esteem at an early age as well as learn to value others and oneself beyond just the physical.

Facebook use and body dissatisfaction moderate the association between discrimination and suicidality among LGBQ individuals

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) individuals experience increased discrimination and suicidality compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Given this disparity, an increasing number of studies have been exploring the effect of social media use on LGBQ people's well-being and mental health, yet results are largely inconsistent, even contradictory. Using data collected from 1799 Israeli LGBQ individuals, this study examined the association between sexual orientation-based discrimination and suicidality, before testing the moderating effects of LGBTQ Facebook use (defined as engagement with LGBTQ people and content on Facebook) and body dissatisfaction on the discrimination-suicidality association. We established a positive association between discrimination and suicidality and showed that the effect of Facebook engagement with LGBTQ peers and content on this association depends on users' level of dissatisfaction with their bodies. These findings illuminate the role of social media in LGBQ people's well-being and reaffirm the importance of body image within the LGBQ community.

CITRA TUBUH PEREMPUAN SEBAGAI INSPIRASI PENCIPTAAN SENI LUKIS MIX MEDIA

Image of Women’s Body as Inspiration in Creating Mix Media Painting. Body image is a person's perception that is influenced by the mentality of one's observations and judgments about oneself in terms of appearance, ability, and personality. Perception of body shape, body weight, height, hair type, skin color, way of speaking, way of socializing, and how one wants to be the ideal type of society. This creation aims to describe positive body image concepts and ideas in the form of digital and conventional art as well as to voice how important positive body image is for a person, specifically a woman. This creation has several stages, including: 1) Exploration stage (collecting data from various sources). This data then becomes the inspiration and message content in this conventional and digital art work. This digital concept was chosen to match the theme of body image, 2) The improvisation stage (designing an image) determines the visual form to have a design style according to existing concepts such as a female object, several additional supporting objects and the creative tools. 3) The visualization stage (crafting process) choosing colorful colors in accordance with the style of a cheerful woman, and being able to convey the message contained well by the community. The results of the process of creating this art are 7 pieces of paintings using canvas media and a mix of conventional media. Presenting a painting exhibition that is packaged neatly and nicely, and presents a visual concept of women's beauty standards that are in accordance with the author's goal, namely to voice arguments about the importance of body image for women. Keywords: Body image; digital art; self acceptance

Body Image and Self- Esteem in girls with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): The Indian Scenario

Polycystic Ovary syndrome is common endocrine disorder generally found in girls of reproductive age which adversely cause metabolic, endocrine, reproductive and mental health of young girls. It has long-term consequences associated with it like diabetes, hypertension, endometrial cancer and coronary artery disease. The prevalence of PCOS is rising in India, which are undergoing rapid transitions due to westernization. Appearance related issues e.g., hirsutism, acne, and obesity, the body image of PCOS women especially young girls (who are more concern for their body) have become more challenging. Thus the girls with PCOS have greater body dissatisfaction and low self esteem as it is exclusively based on body image. Negative perception of body image among PCOS girls include dissatisfaction with appearance, perceived loss of femininity, feeling less sexually attractive, and self-consciousness about appearance. However, due to limited literature on psychosocial impact for girls diagnosed with PCOS, especially in developing countries like India, its significance is still unfathomed. Keeping in mind the importance of body image and self esteem on physical appearance in young girls in the Indian culture the present review was undertaken.

Gender Differences in Healthy Lifestyle, Body Consciousness, and the Use of Social Networks among Medical Students.

Background and Objectives: The goal of this survey was to identify the relationship between the level of satisfaction with body image, perceived health, and the usage of social media among freshmen medical university students. The influence of social media and peers was also related to body image. Materials and Methods: An online survey was distributed among freshmen healthcare students. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic, anthropometric data, and information about students’ perception about healthy lifestyle using open-ended questions, as well as their opinion about the importance of perfect body image and the level of satisfaction with their physical appearance. Questions focusing on the use of social media and the relationship with body image collected data on the use of social networks and how they affect students’ opinion about their own body image. Psychometric data were also gathered using the Body Consciousness Scale. For the statistical analysis, QSR NUD*IST (Non-numerical Unstructured Data Indexing Searching and Theorizing) Vivo 12 was used for qualitative data and IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics for Windows, version 23 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for descriptive and comparative results. Results: In total, 77 students aged 20.09 ± 2.47 years, of which the majority were women (75.30%), were included in the survey. The use of social network was about 4.81 ± 3.60 h/day. Facebook was the most used social networking site (94.80%), followed by Instagram (92.20%), Snapchat (16.90%), WhatsApp (15.60%), and TikTok (10.40%). The most common reason for using these sites was socialization. We found that 64.90% of healthcare students were normal weight. The main barriers for having a healthy lifestyle, as they were perceived by students, were the busy schedule and the lack of time needed to prepare healthy meals, lack of motivation, and lack of money. Women scored higher for the Private Body Consciousness and Public Body Consciousness scales. The main aspects related to a healthy lifestyle referred to physical activity, consumption of fruit and vegetables, water consumption, and a good quality of sleep. Gender differences were discussed as well. Conclusions: The results illustrated the complexity of the relationship between social media and body image and the need to prevent body image concerns, especially in young women.

Influence of Self-Perception and Importance of Body Image on the Methods Implemented to Enhance the Physical Appearance

Physical appearance refers to the traits and features in our body and to how we look. The importance given to the looks and complexion is a major factor contributing the perception of one’s physical appearance. In the current scenario, there are many ways to enhance the overall physical appearance. This study aims to find whether the satisfaction gained on behalf of the physical appearance has any impact on the value given to body image and the steps taken to enhance it. In this regard, the research also proves whether the noteworthiness on the looks affects the methods that are used to improve the body image. Data was collected by the methods of purposive and convenience sampling from 462 people who live in Tamilnadu, which is one of the southern states of India. The Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique was used to analyse the data using Smart PLS version 3.0 software. The results showed that the techniques implemented to enhance the physical appearance is influenced by the perception of individuals on their look and the level of importance given by them to it. Also, it was ascertained that the self-satisfaction of persons with regard to appearance has a negative impact on the importance given by them to their body image.

Body Image and Acceptance of Plastic Surgery Among College Students in South Korea

Abstract. Studied more extensively in Western societies, body image in other cultures is less researched. South Korea provides a unique context to examine body image given its flourishing plastic surgery industry, which is indicative of negative body image and plastic surgery acceptance. The current study examined whether relevant sociocultural factors in South Korea (i.e., fear of negative evaluation [FNE] and filial piety [FP]) play a role in the association between body image and acceptance of plastic surgery. College students in South Korea ( n = 227) completed self-report measures of body image, FNE, FP, and acceptance of plastic surgery. Students with plastic surgery experience reported greater FNE and acceptance of plastic surgery than those without. Significant negative indirect effects of body image on acceptance of plastic surgery through FNE were found in the full sample. FP was found to moderate the body image-acceptance of plastic surgery link such that for individuals low in FP, lower body areas satisfaction was associated with greater acceptance of plastic surgery. The findings highlight the importance of understanding body image within a cultural context and provide implications for body image concerns in South Korean individuals.

The Role of Body Image on Psychosocial Outcomes in People With Diabetes and People With an Amputation.

IntroductionResearch indicates that body image disturbance is associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes for individuals with physical health conditions, with poorest body image reported for individuals with visible bodily changes. Using White’s (2000) theoretical model of body image the present paper aimed to examine the nature of these relationships in two distinct groups: individuals with an amputation and individuals with diabetes. It was hypothesized that body image disturbance would be associated with psychosocial outcomes and would mediate the relationships between self-ideal discrepancy and personal investment in psychosocial outcomes.MethodsIndividuals with diabetes (N = 212) and individuals with an amputation (N = 227) provided details regarding their medical condition, and completed measures assessing body image, investment, self-ideal discrepancy, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Structural equation and invariance modeling were used to test the model paths and the invariance of the model.ResultsAs hypothesized, body image disturbance was found to mediate the relationships between personal investment and psychosocial outcome, and between self-ideal discrepancy and psychosocial outcome. The predicted paths were invariant across groups, although the model accounted for more variance in people with an amputation than people with diabetes.ConclusionBody image disturbance, personal investment, and self-ideal discrepancy are important factors contributing to psychosocial outcome for individuals with diabetes and individuals with an amputation. These findings not only confirm the validity of the model in these two groups, but they emphasize the importance of targeting body image in future psychological interventions for individuals with a health condition.

Exploring primary care providers’ understandings of body image in patient care

Research has shown that healthcare providers lack confidence in having the knowledge needed to have conversations about body image with their patients. No research to date has explicitly explored how providers in primary healthcare understand body image, including its definition and how it impacts plans for care. Accordingly, the current study explored how primary healthcare providers define body image and how they see the concept of body image manifest in their practice. A total of 21 participants were interviewed, including 3 registered dietitians, 6 occupational therapists, 4 physiotherapists, 1 registered massage therapist, 1 kinesiologist, 4 family physicians, 1 nurse, and 1 social worker. Using thematic analysis, it was found that gaps in knowledge about body image were quite apparent as participants’ understanding of body image was slippery (e.g., they struggled to articulate specifics about the concept within care and recognized body image is not something associated with a clinical guideline that would bring form to the concept). However, healthcare providers believed in the importance of body image in their patients’ care in broad and far reaching ways. Future directions for bridging the knowledge gap with respect to body image among primary healthcare providers are discussed.

Body satisfaction and self-esteem in pregnant women

The body image of pregnant women has not been addressed in depth in countries such as Romania. The motivation behind the choice of this theme is the conflict that takes place in the life of a pregnant woman, between the social ideals of the feminine aspect and the changes that take place both physically and mentally. The aim of this study is to explore whether self-esteem and certain concepts related to body image (body satisfaction, sexual attractiveness and the importance of body image) differ depending on different relevant factors during pregnancy, such as pregnancy trimester or body weight.

La promotion d’une image corporelle positive chez les jeunes

Positive body image is a recent concept that includes several facets, such as the acceptance of one’s body and the ability to take care of it with safe, nurturing methods. The purpose of this article is to explain this concept and its importance, and to review prevention and health promotion interventions that might be effective for its development. We conducted a narrative review, including the latest publications that summarize the concept’s usefulness and the effectiveness of prevention programs that may contribute to the development of positive body image in youth. The development of a positive body image is proposed as a key factor that would allow integrated prevention of the entire spectrum of weight and eating issues in young people, as well as other problems such as depression. Three approaches used for prevention interventions developed primarily to target body dissatisfaction as a risk factor might promote certain aspects of positive body image. It would be advisable to adopt a universal and ecological prevention approach, in order to standardize the messages received throughout the social environment regarding healthy eating, an active lifestyle, and respect for the diversity of weight, shape, and beauty. This review highlights the importance of positive body image for public health, as well as the various preventive interventions that have proven effective for youth and young adults, so that future developments can build on what has already been performed.

The Importance of Body Image in Clinical Practice

The concept of body image has been applied in various disciplines, including neurology, clinical psychology, psychopathology, behavioral science, and nursing (Cash, 2004; Rhoten, 2017). Meleau-Ponty (1962) identified the body as the subject of perception and considered the body not as an object but as an embodied subject that lives in the world. "Body image" refers to an individual's body, which generates a sensory message through contact with the environment during internal physiological operations and establishes a preliminary mental understanding of the body (Schilder, 1970). Body image is also affected by the external environment. As Plato remarked, "We are bound to our bodies like an oyster is to its shell." Indeed, our life experiences are integrally influenced by the body we happen to live in (Cash, 2004). Because body image is formed primarily by individuals interacting with others, Schilder (1970) called body image a social entity. People desire to keep their body image intact and unaffected by changes, damage, or losses in terms of function or body parts. Any change is perceived as a threat and thus induces anxiety and fear (Rochlin, 1973). In caring for a patient facing body-image changes, a nurse may help the patient using her in-depth knowledge of the potential impacts of this change on the body, mind, social relationships, bodily functions, self-concept, and self-esteem (Roberts, 1978). Under what circumstances do individuals experience body image change? The most common clinical conditions of body image change are: perceiving sensational change (physical discomfort/signs and symptoms), receiving medical treatments/procedures (receiving blood transfusions, injections, punctures), receiving nursing interventions/ procedures (enema, urethral catheterization) pain, taking medications (moon face), experiencing amputation/dysfunction or alteration/disfigurement, becoming pregnant or undergoing labor, acquiring physical diseases or injuries (cancer, HIV/AIDS, skin diseases, burns), and experiencing role failure (Cash, 2004; Rhoten, 2017; Roberts, 1978). Therefore, when a patient complains to a nurse about physical discomforts, it is necessary to understand that the patient is experiencing body image change and will benefit from timely and effective assistance to overcome and accept this change. Body image change is an important issue that should continue to be better understood and addressed in the field of nursing. This article provides a rich account of body image discourse that may be used as a reference in clinical nursing care, education, and research.

A randomized trial exploring mindfulness and gratitude exercises as eHealth-based micro-interventions for improving body satisfaction

Despite theoretical arguments that brief app-based interventions could be a useful adjunct to longer traditional treatment programs, there has been limited evaluation of the acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy of these micro-interventions. In the present study, 247 women from the general population were randomly assigned to the intervention or wait-list control condition, and provided measurement of body satisfaction and related constructs (body image importance, confidence dealing with body image issues, eating pathology, and self-esteem) at baseline and 21-days (post-intervention). During the 21-day period, the treatment group received access to an eHealth platform containing a series of brief video activities (e.g., gratitude tasks, breathing, and relaxation) previously demonstrated in experimental studies to improve body satisfaction. Findings showed greater improvements in body satisfaction at post-intervention for the intervention group than the waitlist controls (Cohen's d = .42). Use of the intervention content was associated with immediate increases in state-like body satisfaction ratings, and the magnitude of these in-the-moment improvements was predictive of greater post-intervention symptom improvement and retention (ps < .05). However, the intervention did not produce change in constructs related to body satisfaction (Cohen's d ranged from 0.02 to 0.13). Overall, findings offer support for micro-interventions as a spot treatment for specific symptoms, and possible means to maintain engagement and motivation within a broader treatment program.

Influence of the Subjective Body Image on the Outcome of Functional Rhinoplasty.

Improvement of nasal breathing is considered to be the major aspect of functional rhinoplasty (fRPL). Nevertheless, simultaneous aesthetic modifications can be required to achieve sufficient functional enhancement. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of the subjective perception of the nasal appearance on the outcome of fRPL. Patients undergoing fRPL were asked to complete the German version of the Utrecht Questionnaire for Outcome Assessment in Aesthetic Rhinoplasty (D-OAR) preoperatively, 1, 3 and 12months after surgery. The patients' satisfaction with the procedure's result was determined using a five-point Likert scale 1, 3 and 12months after rhinoplasty. In total, 87 patients (42 males and 45 females) with a median age of 25years undergoing fRPL were included in this study. Compared to males, females showed diminished VAS scores (4.03 ± 2.02 vs 2.71 ± 1.96, p = 0.006) and higher D-OAR scores during preoperative outpatient consultation (13.34 ± 5.00 vs 16.07 ± 5.62, p = 0.020). An increase in the VAS score and a decrease in the D-OAR score were observed independent of gender post-operatively. Significant correlations between the patients' satisfaction and the D-OAR score at each time point of assessment were demonstrated, whereas no significant correlation between the post-operative patients' satisfaction and the initial D-OAR score could be identified. These results demonstrate the importance of body image and the subjective perception of the nasal appearance in particular in patients undergoing fRPL which should be taken into consideration of surgeons preoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Chronic illness-related cognitive fusion explains the impact of body dissatisfaction and shame on depression symptoms in breast cancer patients.

Breast cancer is linked to psychological distress and mood disorders that are in turn associated with higher psychological dysfunction and decreased breast cancer survival. It is considered that psychological health in breast cancer is considerably affected by body image impairment, which in turn seems to be highly associated with shame. However, the impact of these variables on mental health may not be direct. The current study aimed to explore a comprehensive model regarding the role of chronic illness-related cognitive fusion in the relationship of body image dissatisfaction and chronic illness-related shame with depression symptoms. The sample was composed of 75 women with nonmetastatic breast cancer, recruited in a Radiotherapy Service in central Portugal. The conducted path model presented an excellent fit and accounted for 59% of the variance of depressive symptomatology. Further, it demonstrated that body image dissatisfaction's impact on depressed mood is significantly explained by the mechanisms of chronic illness-related shame and chronic illness-related cognitive fusion. It was also revealed that chronic illness-related cognitive fusion additionally mediated the impact of chronic illness-related shame on depression. These findings are suggestive of the importance of body image and chronic illness shame in the determination of breast cancer patients' depression symptoms and also the central role of chronic illness-related cognitive fusion in these relationships. Therefore, the implementation of acceptance and defusion-based psychotherapeutic interventions to improve mental health in cancer patients seems to be of great importance.

Development and exploration of the gratitude model of body appreciation in women

Although researchers and clinicians recognize the importance of positive body image for women’s well-being, development of theoretical frameworks for understanding positive body image has not kept pace with research documenting its many benefits. The present study proposed and tested a comprehensive model linking gratitude, contingent self-worth, social comparison, body appreciation, and intuitive eating. Path analysis indicated that this model fit the data for a sample of college and online community women (N = 263). Gratitude was indirectly linked to body appreciation via lower investment in self-worth based on appearance and others’ approval, and via lower engagement in eating and body comparison. Gratitude had a strong direct effect on body appreciation, and body appreciation accounted for a large portion (88%) of gratitude’s relationship with intuitive eating. These results provide strong preliminary support for the model, revealing that gratitude, which can be improved via intervention, plays a key role in body appreciation.

Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: The Importance of Disease Progression in the Prognosis.

Anorexia nervosa is a severe, usually chronic, life-threatening disease of complex etiology characterized by foodrestriction, overestimation of the importance of body weight and image, intense fear of weight gain and distortion of body image.Anorexia nervosa is associated with high rates of mortality, suicide and decreased quality of life. Our aim is to present an anorexianervosa treatment program offered in a major university hospital in Portugal, and to determine the impact of illness duration beforeadmission on the outcome. Our hypothesis is that patients with greater disease longevity may have worse prognosis and pooreroutcome. The sample included data from case records of 169 patients seen consecutively and for the first time at CentroHospitalar São João, between 2010 and 2015. We performed a retrospective observational study which included data collected atadmission and from later follow-up years. From the initially selected patients, 14.8% reached total remission, 16% accomplished partial remission and 14.2% ended upwith exacerbation/stagnation of the disease. The dropout rate was of 55% throughout our study period. We found significant differenceson outcome rates between distinct illness duration groups (p = 0.007). There are several factors frequently associated with poor outcome for anorexia nervosa. The interpretation of outcomefindings was limited by the high rate of dropout and lack of consistent definition criteria. Our results support the idea that illness duration has an important role on the outcome and prognostic features of thesepatients.

Predictors of men's genital self-image across sexual orientation and geographic region

Factors that contribute to men's genital self-image are not well known, despite the documented psychological importance of body image more broadly. The current study used a simultaneous multiple regression to examine the relationship(s) between genital self-image, body image, pornography use, circumcision status, age, and social appearance anxiety among men from different geographic locations, and of differing sexual orientations (N=674). Participants were recruited from Canada (n=285), the United States (n=214), and Western Europe (n=121) through online recruitment methods. A total of 372 gay men/other men who have sex with men (MSM) and 302 heterosexual men were included in the present analyses. Men's genital self-image was significantly predicted by self-perceived body image and social appearance anxiety. Further univariate and multivariate analyses discussed include age, sexual orientation, country of origin, solo porn use, and circumcision status. Implications of the continued importance of parsing the differences between genital self-image and related variables for understanding sexual functioning and overall self-esteem are discussed.