Body Image Report - Parliament of Victoria

INQUIRY INTO ISSUES RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF BODY IMAGE AMONG
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ASSOCIATED EFFECTS ON THEIR HEALTH AND WELLBEING
breast size, facial features, and disfigurement. 15 The Committee has
found that the most commonly discussed body features among young
people have been body size (overweight or underweight) and shape
(relative proportions of waist, hips, etc.). 16 There seems to be a greater
emphasis on body size and shape in Western cultures resulting in
weight concerns and body dissatisfaction. Individuals with a high body
mass index (BMI) are more likely to report body dissatisfaction than
those in the normal or low weight range; among females, even normalweight
individuals are often over concerned about their bodies. 17 The
effects of social and cultural influences are discussed later in the
chapter.
2.9 An individual’s actual body size is also important in determining
both body ideals and body perception. In research studies where
individuals rate a series of figures to indicate which most closely
resembles their current appearance and which is closest to their ideal
size the images are often very similar. 18 This may even occur in women
even with eating disorders. 19 Women who have increased their weight
have also been shown to mirror this with an increase their ideal
weight. 20 It has been argued that these findings suggest an individual’s
body ideals are partially influenced by their actual body size; however,
where large discrepancies remain or if this process leads to an ideal
that is a unobtainable, a negative image could be the result. 21
2.10 Research has also shown that in relation to body size
influencing body image, smaller individuals are more likely to
overestimate their body size. 22 Therefore, biologically determined body
size and shape can influence an individual’s own understanding of
their body influencing a variety of other factors that can potentially lead
to negative body image.
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