OLD TRENDS
Comparison and Pressure:
Constant exposure to idealized versions of beauty leads many teens to compare themselves to others. This can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and anxiety.
Peer and Bullying Dynamics:
Cyberbullying Related to Body Image: The rise of social media has also led to more instances of cyberbullying, particularly related to appearance. Teens may be targeted for their weight, skin tone, or other physical characteristics, exacerbating body image issues.
Body Shaming in Schools:
Although schools are increasingly aware of the harm caused by body shaming, it remains a problem. Teens may face criticism or bullying from peers, leading to issues like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
What are we doing about it:
Body Positivity and Body Neutrality Movements:
While harmful content exists, there has also been a surge in body-positive content that challenges conventional beauty standards, celebrating diverse body shapes, sizes, and abilities. The "body neutrality" movement encourages teens to focus less on appearance and more on how their bodies feel and function.
Changing Beauty Standards:
Inclusivity in Fashion and Media: There has been a broader acceptance of different body types in mainstream media and fashion. Brands are increasingly featuring plus-size models, models with disabilities, and those who don't conform to conventional beauty standards. Teens are seeing a wider variety of bodies being celebrated, which can positively influence body image.
Increased Awareness of Eating Disorders:
Schools, mental health professionals, and activists are increasingly raising awareness about eating disorders (such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder) and disordered eating behaviours. This shift is helping reduce stigma and making it easier for teens to seek help.
NEW TRENDS
Orthorexia and Obsession with "Clean Eating:
A newer trend is the rise of orthorexia, an obsession with eating foods that a person considers healthy or "clean." This can lead to unhealthy fixation on food, sometimes disguised as wellness or fitness pursuits, which can be harmful to mental health.
Face Yoga
Face yoga has gained considerable attention recently, especially among teens and young adults, as part of the growing interest in self-care, wellness, and natural beauty routines. Face yoga involves a series of exercises designed to tone facial muscles, potentially improving appearance although a growing number of males have used it to define jawlines into a square like shape. Some teens may become hyper-focused on perceived facial imperfections. The desire for a more defined jawline or wrinkle-free skin could feed into insecurities, leading to unhealthy expectations.
What are we doing about it:
The Role of Schools and Education:
Some schools are introducing programs that focus on body image and self-esteem, aiming to teach teens about the importance of self-acceptance and the dangers of media manipulation. These programs often include critical discussions on how media shapes beauty ideals and how teens can protect their mental health.
Mental Health Awareness:
There is a growing focus on mental health in schools, which includes promoting positive body image and helping students navigate issues like bullying, self-esteem, and peer pressure. Wellness weeks, mental health talks.
NEW-ISH TRENDS
Andrew Tate
Andrew Tate, a controversial figure and social media influencer, has gained significant attention for his views on masculinity, success, and physical appearance. Tate promotes a hyper-masculine lifestyle, often encouraging young men to adopt his views on wealth, dominance, and physical fitness. His rhetoric has drawn both criticism and admiration, particularly among teenage boys. Tate's influence on body image and broader gender dynamics is complex: promoting fitness and physical toughness as essential to being a successful and dominant man. This message appeals to teenage boys who may be navigating societal pressures around body image, masculinity, and self-worth.
Muscle dysmorphia:
Although history shows that body image disorders was predominantly females, research shows that all genders are now affected, though often in different ways. Many boys feel pressure to be muscular and lean, driven by media representations of male athletes, actors, and superheroes.
Non-binary and Transgender Body Image:
Teens who identify as non-binary or transgender often experience unique challenges related to body image. They may struggle with body dysphoria, feeling disconnected or uncomfortable with their physical appearance as it relates to gender. This group is also at a higher risk for mental health issues tied to body image.
Rise of "Fitspiration:
Fitness culture has grown significantly, with many teens engaging with "fitspiration" content—posts and videos promoting fitness, muscle tone, and "clean" diets. While physical activity is important for health, this trend can sometimes promote unrealistic or
Augmented Reality (AR) Filters:
Many teens use AR filters on platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok, which can digitally alter their appearance (e.g., making eyes bigger, skin smoother, nose smaller). Over time, frequent use of these filters can distort a teen’s sense of reality and lead to dissatisfaction with their unfiltered appearance.
Photo Editing Apps: Editing apps like Facetune allow teens to manipulate their body shapes and features, contributing to unrealistic beauty standards. This practice can lead to a distorted self-image and contribute to body dysmorphia.
What are we doing about it:
Representation of Different Bodies:
With campaigns like #AerieREAL and brands like Dove promoting realistic and unretouched images, teens are slowly beginning to see more diverse representations of bodies in advertising. This can help mitigate some of the negative effects of exposure to "perfect" bodies in media.
Disabled and Differently-Abled Representation:
There's a growing push for greater representation of disabled individuals in media and fashion. While this shift is still in its early stages, increased visibility of people with physical disabilities or chronic illnesses is helping teens feel more accepted, regardless of physical differences.
Governments and policymakers:
Some countries are introducing laws to regulate influencers, requiring them to disclose when they use filters or edit their appearance in photos and videos. France, for example, has introduced laws that require influencers and advertisers to mark edited photos with a warning label while other laws are taking steps to protect young people from harmful influences related to body image.
Parental and Family Influences:
Family discussions around diet, exercise, and appearance can strongly influence how teens perceive their bodies. Positive reinforcement and a focus on health (rather than appearance) can help build a healthier body image, while critical comments can have the opposite effect.
Overall, body image remains a complex issue for teens, shaped by societal trends, media influence, and personal experiences. While there are positive movements pushing for greater acceptance of diverse bodies, challenges like social media pressures, cyberbullying, and rigid beauty standards still persist. Educating teens on critical media consumption, promoting body positivity, and addressing mental health concerns are crucial steps toward fostering healthier body image perceptions.
Body Image Coach is a non-profit organisation that offers a 4 step approach to early intervention for eating disorders and BDD. Visit: www.bodyimagecoach.co.uk
Comentários