By Admin 
Effects Of Body Shaming On Mental Health: Regarding someone’s complexion, someone’s body structure. There are many issues like who eats what, how they live, what they say, on which people have to troll. This problem has been going on for years. In a study related to this, it has been said that the increasing concern about body image among the youth is becoming a mental health problem. This problem is not limited only to the youth suffering from obesity, but underweight youth are also facing equally serious mental problems. The study revealed that almost every second youth at both ends of the body weight spectrum is going through moderate to severe mental stress related to body image.
What has come out in the research?
This study, published in the Journal of Education and Health Promotion, is part of AIIMS-ICMR’s ongoing research program on weight control in young adults. In this, 1,071 youth aged between 18 to 30 years were included, who had come to the OPD of AIIMS for treatment. According to the study, 49 percent of obese and 47 percent underweight youth complained of severe body image concerns, while this figure was about 36 percent among normal or slightly overweight youth.
Among the youth included in the study, about 25 percent were suffering from obesity and 11 percent were underweight. Most of them were students and came from middle income families. The data revealed that underweight youth were facing almost twice as much body image stress as those of normal weight, while youth suffering from obesity were facing almost three times more body image stress.
What do experts say?
Experts associated with research say that treatment of weight related problems is not possible by ignoring mental health. According to Dr. Piyush Ranjan, Professor and Research Head of the Department of Medicine, “Weight control is not limited to just weight loss. If emotional problems are not taken care of, youth leave lifestyle programs midway. Therefore, it is very important to combine mental health with nutritional care.” He further said that people of normal weight are also being affected by this.
People put off losing weight
This study was led by nutritionist and PhD scholar Warisha Anwar. He found that many youth start weight loss with full enthusiasm, but over time, mental fatigue, body image concerns, study pressure and changes in life hold them back. This clearly shows the shortcomings of the calorie-only approach being adopted for weight control in India.
social pressure
Researchers believe that the competition to be beautiful in society further increases mental stress, which affects youth’s motivation, ability to stick to treatment, and long-term health. In our society people judge people on their looks and body texture. This is seen not only in the society but also within the family of a person.
What is body shaming?
Body shaming simply means saying anything negative about someone’s body. You can do this for yourself as well as for others. This includes making fun of someone’s weight, age, hair, clothes, food preferences or how they look.
Body shaming is everywhere these days. Be it a comment made on someone’s obesity or that “perfect body” photo seen on social media, which is not possible in reality. All these things make us feel ashamed of our body. Whether someone speaks directly to us or to someone else, it is very harmful for our mental health. This creates inferiority complex in the mind and we feel that our value is only based on our looks.
Problems related to body shaming
- feeling anxious and restless all the time
- Keep looking for flaws in your body
- having thoughts of harming oneself
- Poor quality of life and being under tension all the time
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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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