Body image perception is the way a person sees what their body looks like. A person's perception of their image strongly affects how he or she acts on any given day. If a person lacks body image confidence, they are less likely to walk proudly or wear attractive clothing. The perception of body image has a strong impact on the personal life of an individual and stems from many factors, including television and social media.
The media is a major factor affecting the perception of body image. When someone looks in a magazine, they often see pictures of slim, beautiful women and tall, handsome men. Many of these images, especially those of women, are impossible to achieve in real life because they are really computer generated graphics. Companies often use slim, young women to sell their products or services because these women easily capture the eyes of television viewers and magazine readers. For-profit companies that emphasize that their products help people achieve a certain look use attractive models to keep their customers buying the products.
Another factor that affects a person's view of their body is comments from family members. Some immediate family members, such as a brother or sister, may tease a sibling about how fat she is or how awkwardly tall she is, which can lower the individual's level of self-confidence. A parent especially affects a child's view of himself, either negatively through critical comments or positively through encouraging words of encouragement. People generally hold their family's views in high esteem, so comments from family members play a big role in how one may feel about their body.
Peer groups also affect how a person thinks he or she sees themselves. Kids often make fun of people their age who don't look like them, including people of a different race and ethnicity. This type of teasing and bullying usually stems from a child's lack of self-confidence. A boy's natural inclination to want to belong to her social group can actually make him feel like an outcast when he is criticized.
Sudden changes in a person's body during puberty also play a role in an individual's perceived body image. During puberty, the bodies of boys and girls begin to change in various ways. This sometimes causes embarrassment as they struggle to deal with the unknown changes. Other girls and boys struggle with their perception of body image because they feel like they haven't matured fast enough.