The term Body Image, stirs up confusion, along with mixed feelings. Let’s see why. 

 

Let us first get started with definitions. Body Image can be defined as a person perception of the aesthetics of their body. In simpler  thinks and feels about their physical features.

 

The phrase body image was first coined by the Austrian psychoanalyst Paul Schilder in his book The Image and Appearance of the Human Body in 1935.

​

A number of disciplines, including psychology, medicine,  philosophy, cultural and feminist studies use the the concept of body image.  Media uses this term quite often. Yet, there is no consensus definition. A person's body image is thought to be, in part, a product of their personal experiences, personality, and various social and cultural forces

​

Instead of referring to body image as the healthy or normal body, advertiser and media have propagated the myth of The Perfect or Ideal Body. The Perfect body is the body type and shape that the advertiser will use in their advertises, media will sensationalize and therefore will get most 'likes' on social media.  No wonder, the Body Image has been linked with images of these so called perfect bodies.

​

The message from advertisements of fashion or health-aid tells us, the people, that this is the correct body that everyone should wish, and work to become.

 

Now, there is a problem with Society – which is that it does not seem to understand the fact that not everyone has the same body type. So, basically society is trying to tell people that this is the correct body type that everyone should acquire to have, although they may not be built that certain way.

​