Your body image is how you think and feel about your body. Body image involves your perception, imagination and emotions. It does not necessarily reflect what you see in the mirror or what other people see. It’s also affected by how your body feels to your own touch. Poor body image is often linked to dieting or eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating.
Many people try a lot of different diets that do not work. Some people diet because they have a poor body image, rather than because they want to be a healthy weight. While it’s important to maintain a healthy weight, constant dieting can lead to physical illness and depression, especially if your weight goes up and down after dieting.
Some people think they are overweight
Some people think they are overweight when they are not. Here are some statistics:
45 per cent of women and 23 per cent of men in the healthy weight range think they are overweight.
At least 20 per cent of women who are underweight think that they are overweight and are dieting to lose weight.
Body image has some cultural links – for example, some research shows that Asian women, after moving to Australia, take on body image and diet habits that are not common in their own countries.
Weight loss from diets does not last
Australians spend up to one million dollars a day on fad diets that have little effect on their weight. Even if you remain on a weight loss program, it is likely that you will regain:
- One to two-thirds of your lost weight within one year
- Nearly all of your lost weight within five years.
Dieting affects your health and your mental state
Women who diet frequently are more likely to:
- Binge eat
- Purge food (vomit)
- Restrict food intake too much
- Over exercise
- Have poor health
- Become depressed
- Develop an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
The weight loss seesaw
Research has shown that nearly every young woman and nearly half of all middle-aged women have dieted to lose weight at least once. The ‘weight loss, weight gain’ seesaw may put you at risk of heart disease and other health problems. Some studies have shown that just one cycle of weight loss and weight gain is a risk factor for the development of heart disease later in life. People who diet frequently have a much higher risk of eating disorder.
Body mass index
Men and women should aim to have a body weight within the healthy weight range. One of the measures of healthy weight is the BMI (body mass index) measure. This can be calculated using the BMI calculator. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared.
If you use the BMI calculator for children, make sure you check it against the reference growth charts that are linked to the calculator.
If you are concerned about your own or your child’s weight, consult with your doctor, paediatrician or dietitian.
Women need fat on their hips and thighs
It is normal for women to have fat on their hips and thighs. Frequent dieting will not remove this fat. It is vital for:
- Fertility and breastfeeding
- Prevention of osteoporosis
- Healthy skin, eyes, hair and teeth.
Men also worry about their body image
Men are under increasing pressure to have an ideal body:
- 17 per cent of men are on some sort of diet.
- An increasing number of men are undergoing cosmetic surgery.
- More men are buying grooming products.
Where to get help
Things to remember
- Our body image may not be accurate. Many people think they are overweight when they are not.
- If you diet, you will almost certainly gain any weight lost back again once you stop dieting.
- Frequent dieting affects your health and can make you depressed.
You might also be interested in:
Body image - men.
Body image - tips for parents.
Body image - women.
Body image and diets.
Eating disorders - children.
Eating tips for teenagers.
Teenage health.
Weight loss - a healthy approach.
Want to know more?
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