1. Home
  2. Parenting & Family
  3. Teens

What is Body Image?

By , About.com Guide

Body image is psychological in nature. It is influenced by your self-esteem and self-worth and it in turn, influences your self-esteem and self-worth. It is how you percieve your physical body and how you feel other's percieve it. It is not based in the truth, but in what you see as the truth.

Body image is forever changing. It is sensitive to your mood swings, physical environment, and your experiences. It is formed out of every experience you have ever had and all of the people around you - parents, role models, the media, and peers who give you an idea of what it is like to value your body. For instance, if blue eyes are valued in a family because almost everyone in that family has them, anyone who is born with any other color eye will feel a smaller sense of belonging to that family. They will wish that they had blue eyes. This negatively impacts one's self-esteem and can even go as far as impacting one's self-worth.

Therefore, body image is not only what you see when you look in the mirror, but also what you feel when you think about your body and how you feel in your body. If you feel ashamed, self-conscious and anxious about your body, then you have a negative body image. If you feel comfortable and confident in your body, you have a positive body image.

Explore Teens
About.com Special Features

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

Family Tech Center

Stay connected and entertained with reviews on tips on the latest HDTVs, cellphones and more. More >

  1. Home
  2. Parenting & Family
  3. Teens
  4. Teen Health
  5. Body Image>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.