• New
  • Inspiration
  • Knowledge
  • Action
  • 7 Habits
    • Caring
    • Exercise
    • Flow
    • Meaning
    • Positivity
    • Relationships
    • Strengths

More results...

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in Inspiration
Search in Knowledge
Search in Action

17 Feb2020

share

How Does Body Image Affect Mental Health?

17 Feb 2020
share

‘Body image’ is a term that can be used to describe how we think and feel about our bodies. Our thoughts and feelings about our bodies can impact us throughout our lives, affecting, more generally, the way we feel about ourselves and our mental health and wellbeing.

How does body image affect mental health?

Having body image concerns is a relatively common experience and is not a mental health problem in and of itself; however, it can be a risk factor for mental health problems. Research has found that higher body dissatisfaction is associated with a poorer quality of life, psychological distress and the risk of unhealthy eating behaviours and eating disorders.

Higher body dissatisfaction is associated with a poorer quality of life, psychological distress and the risk of unhealthy eating behaviours and eating disorders.

Conversely, body satisfaction and appreciation has been linked to better overall wellbeing and fewer unhealthy dieting behaviours. Though feeling unsatisfied with our bodies and appearance is often more common among young women, body image concerns are relevant from childhood through to later life and affect both women and men.

Body satisfaction and appreciation has been linked to better overall wellbeing and fewer unhealthy dieting behaviours.

What causes body image concerns?

The way in which our experiences and environment affect our body image will be different for everyone. However, overall, the research suggests that body image can be influenced by:

  • our relationships with our family and friends
  • how our family and peers feel and speak about bodies and appearance
  • exposure to images of idealised or unrealistic bodies through media or social media
  • pressure to look a certain way or to match an ‘ideal’ body type

There are further issues relevant to body image and mental health that are specific to certain factors and experiences, such as:

  • long-term health conditions
  • cultural differences around body ideals
  • gender and sexuality

Tags

  • Positivity

You might like

  • Start Your Day With These Uplifting Positivity Quotes

    Inspiration

  • How Positivity Makes You Healthy And Successfull

    Knowledge

  • Positive-Thinking Exercises That Will Make Any Person Healthier & Happier

    Action

  • Feeling Stuck? This Drone Footage Set To Music Lets Your Soul Take Flight

    Inspiration

  • Creating Positivity

    Knowledge

  • Happiness and Positive Living

    Action

Get free tips to live your best, most fulfilling life

  • About Wondrlust
  • How the site works
  • New
  • Inspiration
  • Knowledge
  • Action
  • Wondrlust TV
  • Wondrlust Radio
  • Wondrlust News
  • Resilience
  • WL Foundation
  • Let’s chat
  • About iMediasport
© Wondrlust 2025

7 habits

  • Caring
  • Exercise
  • Flow
  • Meaning
  • Positivity
  • Relationships
  • Strengths

Latest from blog

Is it possible to Design a Peak Customer Experience?
Reboot your 2019
A Life Too Short
Trying to be grateful – which at 8pm and still in the of...
The WondrAcademy

© Wondrlust 2025