Effect of Body Shaming on Teenagers
- whereemotionsflow
- Oct 6, 2024
- 2 min read
by Somya
Body shaming involves humiliating someone by making inappropriate or negative comments about their body size or shape. This type of criticism can be made to others or yourself. You may feel unhappy with your weight or how your body looks and judge yourself harshly. The act of body shaming can be carried out in person or remotely via the internet and social media and can be done by your parents, siblings, friends, or people you’re not even close to.
According to a study conducted, 94 percent of teenage girls and 64 percent of teenagers have encountered some form of body shaming. These numbers are significantly high, yet they continue to increase daily.
Short term effects
Low self-esteem: Previous research indicated links between weight stigma and low self-esteem. Stereotypes, such as that larger people are lazy or incompetent, contribute to this, causing people to internalise those ideas about themselves.
Anxiety and depression: A study involving 2,707 college students showed that those who experienced or anticipated experiencing weight stigma were more likely to report moderate or severe symptoms of both.
Long term effects
Eating disorders: The same study involving college students also indicated an association between experiencing or expecting to experience weight stigma and a high risk of EDs. Students were more likely to report bingeing or purging behaviour
Suicide: A 2020 study showed that in adolescents identifying as overweight, there was a link to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide risk. The authors analysed data gathered and assessed from 1999–2017 and found the biggest increase in suicidality came after 2009. They suggest increasing weight stigma may be the root cause.
References
Biggers, A. (2023, October 4). Effects of fat shaming on mental and physical
health. MedicalNewsToday.
Body Shaming The Effects and How to Overcome it. (n.d.).
Sosa, E. C. (2020, December 12). Body shaming: A rising problem in teenage
culture. Clark Chronicle.
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