Body Satisfaction: The Influence Of The Peer And Body Dissatisfaction

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Previous research has shown, that women, in particular young girls, are highly likely to compare themselves and their body image with their peers. There is, however, yet to be studies shown that prove the correlation between peer interactions that influence body dissatisfaction. Body dissatisfaction can lead to dangerous eating habits, such as anorexia, bulimia and extreme dieting. Relationships between family, friends and fellow classmates are pertinent throughout adolescence as it is those surrounding the young female that have a great influence over her. Research compelling to the topic has focused on these particular factors, such as peer and parental influence but has not yet received the amount of exposure and attention.

Numerous studies have identified a desire for thinness in young girls, in ages as young as 6. Young adolescent females are surrounded in an environment (particularly in western culture) where dieting, desire for thinness and so called “fat talk” is often brought up in everyday conversation. Not only are these popular topics of discussion between a young girl and her peers, but family and the media also have a somewhat greater influence. For example, a mother’s behavior regarding weight loss diets and fat talk could influence her daughter, and provoke her to follow in her footsteps. A mother’s input in her daughter’s body image is shown to be more effective than her fathers input. The dieting behavior by the mother and/or peers is what is also known as “modeling”. Modeling is something that occurs when the adolescent copies actions of those around her, for instance dieting and binge/purge behavior. Female adolescents may also experience what is known as physique anxiety. Physique anxiety is related to compa...

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...ry few also include male adolescents. Which raises the question of whether if a study were to be conducted of a higher number of boys and very few girls, or only boys, would the results differentiate? Would we see a dramatic increase or decrease? A women’s perspective is that the thin ideal is considered beauty and is prevalent in todays society, which motivates their desire to become thinner as they feel they may be seen as more beautiful. This is shown to pressure young girls to take on the risky beahviour’s such as extreme dieting or exercising, as well as purging as a way to get rid of the food consumed. The women’s thin ideal is equivalent to the male ideal, which is muscle gain. These oppose as males less frequently take part in behavior such as purging or starving, but are similarly more prone to over exercising or over eating, which is also a health concern.

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