Dissatisfaction with Body Image and Its Consequences

For years, doctors have warned about the dangers associated with overweight and obesity. Being overweight and excessively overweight exposes individuals to cardiovascular diseases, blood sugar issues, strokes, and more. However, several recent studies (which are increasing in number) suggest that how a person thinks about their body can be as important to their health as their weight. According to Quartz, dissatisfaction with weight or what is termed negative body image has significantly increased over the past few decades, coinciding with the proliferation of advertisements across various media, from print to television and the internet. Researchers say that this dissatisfaction can increase the risk of diseases such as high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, gastrointestinal diseases, and an increase in body mass index (BMI). Low self-esteem stemming from this negative body image leads to a "decline in quality of life." Dr. Christine Blake, a professor at the University of South Carolina and a public health expert, states that even if a person is dissatisfied with their body image for short periods in their life, their risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases. While it could be explained that overweight individuals are those who are dissatisfied with their body image and thus it is not surprising that they are at risk for more diseases, Dr. Blake rejects this theory. She refers to a study conducted in 2013 among groups of women with the same BMI, stating that among women with a healthy BMI, those with a negative body image were more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and elevated blood glucose levels. According to Science Alert, another explanation could be that individuals who feel good about their bodies take better care of them. Dr. Diana Neumark-Sztainer, a professor at the University of Minnesota, found in a study among teenage girls that those dissatisfied with their weight exercised less and were more likely to suffer from eating disorders. Another study shows that exercising, even if it has no effect on weight, still gives individuals a better sense of their bodies. According to Dr. Blake, although it is believed that dissatisfaction with weight should lead individuals to exercise and eat healthier, the opposite actually occurs. "Dissatisfaction with body image leads individuals to adopt unhealthier behaviors. They are less likely to respond positively to weight control programs or exercise. They simply say: 'Forget it!'" The relationship between weight, health, and the psychological impact of these two on each other is very complex. However, researchers believe that shaming individuals who suffer from overweight will not lead to positive change; rather, a negative image increases the risks targeting their health. Dr. Blake suggests that doctors should remember that emphasizing weight increases individuals' stress levels and consequently their overweight. The focus should be on changing lifestyle and being healthier, not just losing weight.