Body image and teenage dieting practices in males and females

Abstract

Body Image problems seem to be a worldwide issue. Although adults are also concerned with their body image, the problem seems to affect mostly teenagers of all classes, levels, races and religion. Preoccupation with body image has become more common nowadays since it is the main target of commercial interests and the media in promoting contemporary body ideals, which very often are unrealistic and hard to attain especially by teens, who may be still in the spurt of growth. These pressures perpetuate the idea that having the right body measurements is the only way to success and happiness. In an attempt to conform to the standard advertised body images, teens may indulge themselves in various dieting behaviours, which very often may have negative consequences on their health. Issues of weight preoccupation such as food, dieting and health are often discussed openly and with great enthusiasm in many informal social situations. For many teenagers this seems to be a very popular topic of conversation. This study was carried out amongst sixth form students in an attempt to find out the prevalence of body image dissatisfaction whilst exploring their dieting practices. This study also aimed to find out gender differences regarding body image and dieting behaviours. A considerable number of teenagers who took part in this study were dissatisfied with the shape of their bodies; an attitude which is positively correlated with body weight preoccupation. The researcher confirmed her hypothesis that females experienced more dissatisfaction with their weight/shape than males. Dieting was also a more common habit for females rather than for males. Exercise habits had different goals for each gender, so while the majority of females exercised to lose weight, the majority of males exercised to alter their body shape and to increase their fitness. An overall view of the study shows that while females exhibited an increased prevalence of body image dissatisfaction and weight control practices, there seems to be a growing concern for males to conform to an ideal masculine image.