You’re getting ready to go to the gym and put on the new pants you just got, except something is different. When you tried them on in the store they fit perfectly, but now, they make you look weird and feel uncomfortable. While you’re at the gym, you find yourself constantly looking in the mirror, adjusting the waistband, until you finally make the decision that you will be returning the pants tomorrow.
While many teens don’t realize it, this common occurrence can be the start of developing body image issues. The Mayo Clinic defines body dysmorphia as a mental health condition that occurs when someone cannot stop thinking about one or more perceived flaws in their appearance. It may seem crazy to claim that a little insecurity can turn into a mental condition, but a lot of people struggle with the pressure to stay in shape with society’s latest trends.
According to the BDD Foundation, about two percent of the adult population suffers from body dysmorphia. Although this is a small percentage, the numbers have been on the rise in recent years, especially as fitness culture has started to take over social media.
“Body image is a very personal thing, so there are some people that you might look at and their body seems perfect. And there can be people who don’t necessarily have a perfect body, but they have the confidence of a person straight out of a bodybuilding magazine,” track coach Timothy McDonald said. “When people don’t have that confidence, sitting around and looking at photos of people that aren’t even real, because they’ve been edited, they start to judge and compare themselves.”
New standards of what is considered the best body are forever changing. If you’re a girl, you might be torn between being the supermodel-thin pilates girl or the muscly gym-girl. For guys, your biggest worries may simply be fighting against the ‘skinny-fat’ allegations. Living in a world where everything is about appearance is hard, but you’re definitely not alone.
The best thing you can do is just focus on being the happiest and healthiest version of yourself. Instead of aesthetics, focus on achievements and abilities. And if you or someone you know is struggling with body image, you can always talk to a school counselor, a parent, or your friends because they are experiencing the same era of trending physiques.
