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It is a sad fact that many of us are dissatisfied with the way we look. Have you ever asked ‘Does my bum look big in this?’ or said ‘I hate my thighs’ or ‘I’m so fat’?

And it’s not just girls, guys are under increasing pressure to have a muscular, toned athletic physique whereas girls are expected to be impossibly thin, with legs up to their ears and disproportionately large breasts - in short, to be a Barbie doll.

A lot of our ideas about how our bodies should look come from the media – sometimes it can be hard to remember that magazines change photographs to make models and stars look even more attractive than they are in reality!

Your body is unique. Its shape and size are largely dictated by your genes and will stay the same however much dieting or bodybuilding you do. What you can do is look after it by eating healthily and exercising regularly.

Your body is your home. It’s also your friend. It serves you well. Take some time to thank your body for the fantastic job it does. Celebrate your body by walking tall and being confident about the way you look, then you are guaranteed to look fabulous!

If you have a question or you are unsure about anything then ask Talksafe by clicking here.

Links

Children and Youth Health: Body Image

NHS Choices: Eating Disorders

Coping skills, BBC (2011)

Last review: 18/05/11 - Next review: 18/05/13