Importance of Body Image for Teenagers – Impact, Challenges, and Solutions

Abstract

This cross-sectional research study aimed to investigate the importance of body image for teenagers, challenges they faced in maintaining a positive body image, and impacts of negative body image. A structured dichotomous (Yes/No) questionnaire comprising 30 questions was designed to assess various aspects of body image concerns among teenagers and possible solutions to this issue. This was answered by 160 respondents who were school and college students aged 13-19 years (both inclusive), across 14 Indian states and 6 countries (including India, China, Jordan, Italy, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom). The results revealed that an alarming 81.3% of the surveyed teenagers reported experiencing body image issues. 59.4% respondents did not usually feel ‘physically attractive’, and 57.5% respondents were affected by others’ opinions on their bodily appearance. More than half (51.9%) respondents exercised because of negative body image and 62.5% dressed a certain way in order to camouflage their disliked features. These findings highlight the significant prevalence of body image concerns among adolescents and emphasise the need for targeted interventions and support to address these issues and promote positive body image development during this critical stage of life.