Negative body image in women is as painful as it is enduring.
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And while this may lessen over time for some, for others the torment never truly goes away.
We see body image concerns, frightening dieting behaviours and extreme exercise regimes as the curse of the young.
But according to a new study, this is no longer the case with researchers at the University of Newcastle revealing that body image remains an issue for women at most stages of their lives.
The study also found that the dieting habits of women across the Hunter were cause for concern with most expressing worrying body dissatisfaction into their late 30s and 40s.
It’s highly unlikely these women woke up at ages 35, 40, or 45 and decided to obsess about their bodies.
It’s more likely they are still carrying the stain of feeling bad about their bodies when they were teenagers.
One study participant said that, as a young dancer, body image became her main focus. At 22, she said that while she does feel better about her body she still remembers the stark negativity of body dissatisfaction.
The Butterfly Foundation for Eating Disorders says the root causes of body image need to be addressed with the foundation seeing a worrying increase in the level of concern about body image and eating disorders.
The foundation believes that strong role-modelling of positive self-esteem, and a positive attitude to your body and health are key elements young people need to be exposed to every day.
“Negative body image is not a youth pop-culture issue and it must be addressed as a serious population and mental health issue,” Butterfly Foundation CEO Christine Morgan said.
