Body shaming is the act of mocking or humiliating someone on the basis of their physical appearance. It includes shaming people for their shape, size, skin color, hair color, hairiness, and general appearance.
Body shaming is considered as a form of intimidation of weaker person. It includes making improper or unacceptable comments about their body size or shape. Body shaming is not only criticizing someone who is overweight, but also those who are underweight. People of all shapes, sizes and skin color can be victims of body shaming. Even when said in the form of a joke, body shaming can still be harming.
Effects of Body Shaming
- Eating Disorder
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Excessive Exercising
- Anxiety and depression
- Physical health issues
How to deal with body shaming
1 Body positivity
Body positivity is learning to embrace your own imperfections and feeling happy with how we look. Once we are comfortable in our appearance, no amount of criticisms that may be directed towards us can put us down.
2 Maintaining healthy social life
Maintaining good communication and healthy friendships with peers offers a protective risk against the negative effects of body shaming. Spend time with people who are body positive and accept you for who you are.Surround yourself with people who will help you seeyourself positively and resist any comments of body shaming.
3 Educate those who body shame
Body shaming is not enjoyable and should not be tolerated. Notice how your friends, families, or co-workers behave to others. If you find anyone body shaming another, immediately stop the action and educate them. Talk it out politely and create awareness about the harmful effects of body shaming a person.
CONCLUSION
Being body-shamed during adolescence have short-term or long-term mental health consequences. A variety of mental health issues arise from the act, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Compass clinical psychological services provide a variety of programs to help their clients overcome the negative effects of body shaming.
When someone is body shamed, it can create a feeling of avoidance and the person might opt to isolate oneself due to the humiliation felt. There is also an increase in feelings of low self-esteem, self-image, and self-worth. Even worse situations, it can make the person feel lonely and worthless which can lead to depression.