Adolescents and Body Image

Adolescence is an age when teens go through a lot of body changes. In this age they explore a lot of things around them which influences how they think. Here is the list to understand what influences state and health of teens in this tender age.

Adolescence is a very tender age which is full of positivity but is also a very impressionable age. In this age teens like to explore more things around them and try to form their independent opinion, as to how they perceive themselves and others. It’s a very impressionable age as teens like to learn, experiment and follow what peers do. Teens like to follow celebrities and models and wish to become popular among their group. This happens as there is sense of belongingness and need for recognition that is developing within the group.

Etv Bharat Sukhibhava spoke to Ms. Kajal U. Dave, Psychologist and Play Therapist at Mindsight, Mindart, Coffee Conversations and Career Counselor at Prafulta Psychological Wellness centre, Borivali Mumbai for some quick tips.

If we ask a teen what you like to change about yourself, the reflex response is “My figure”. Some wants good physique, some wants flat stomach, others want perfect zero figure. So is it wrong to expect such things? Absolutely not but one should be aware of to what extent one is pushing his/her body to attain these. changes. Many times, we hear that teens try to follow a crash diet or put oneself in extreme body training which if not taken care properly leads to malnutrition or wear and tear of tissues in body. Another question that arises; can someone else really influence us to take on fad diets and extreme exercises or is it something to do with ourselves too? The answer is its very important how we see ourselves as a person, what kind of thoughts we have about ourselves?

Let’s understand do and don’ts of being healthy and happy with our body:

Don’ts:

1. Don’t compare yourself with your best friend, celebrities or your role model.
2. Avoid crash diets and fad foods without proper guidance from your nutritionist or doctor.
3. Stop using negative words for yourself like I am fat, I am not beautiful.
4. As a parent stop calling names to your teens or become more aware of stereotypical thoughts like if you will remain fat no one will like you, you can’t do xyz things.
5. Avoid counting calories and weight every now and then. Watch out “Are your thoughts becoming obsessed with number and weight? Is that helping you or making you feel more miserable?

Do’s:

1. Don’t get bullied by teasing because you are more than your looks. There are many things apart from physical looks that make a person stronger and more beautiful. Try and ask three things that you like about yourself?
2. Try and ask yourself whether your thoughts are just an opinion or it’s a fact. Because what you think makes a lot of impact on your belief system. If you think you look bad as you are fat. Ask yourself can a model or celebrity becomes famous only if he or she is slim and trim? No, there are many models who are representing as who they are and still do wonderful work.
3. Make a peer group where you are accepted as you are.
4. Be confident while facing people because perhaps people are coming to see the talent you have and not how you look.