Analyzing the effect of body image on mental health among people in India
Research Objective: Analyzing the effect of body image on mental health among people in India
Title: Connection between body image and mental health
In the 21st century, the way one perceives his or her (body image) plays a serious role in shaping one’s mental wellbeing. Every day, a wide range of age groups undergo various mental health issues due to body image dissatisfaction. Since India is still a developing country, many viewpoints around body image tend to have a stigma behind it. This investigation focuses on ‘Analyzing the effect of body image on mental health in India,’ shows the connection between body image and eating disorders along with the stigma behind body image in India.
The questionnaire that was conducted gave an insight into specific statistics and opinions towards body image. The session with the local NGO helped with analyzing a younger audience’s perspective on body image and the stigma behind it.
Using the data collected from the questionnaire and sessions, a thorough analysis was conducted. Based on this, certain notions were evident. The use of graphs threw light on visualizing the facts and figures that were derived.
The suggested recommendations elaborated how diverse societies can adapt definite ways and methods to increase body positivity and reduce mental health issues that arise from body image dissatisfaction.
Introduction
Body image is a person’s perception of their physical self and the thoughts and feelings, positive, negative or both.[1] The concept of accepting one’s body image should come naturally, however in the globalizing world we live in, that doesn’t seem to be the case. The way in which our experiences and environment affect our body image will be different for everyone. However, overall, a research from the “Body Image Report” by the Mental Health Foundation suggests that body image can be influenced by our relationships with our family and friends, how our family and peers feel and speak about bodies and appearance, exposure to images of idealized or unrealistic bodies through media, or social media pressure to look a certain way or to match an ‘ideal’ body type.[2]
Through an in-depth analysis, it can be understood that stigma around body image can also contribute to the way in which one perceives his or her body. In India, more than one-fourth of young women (28%) reported moderate-to-severe body dissatisfaction in India.[3] In India, the stigma behind body image goes far beyond opinions. Companies like Fair and Lovely have created a major impact on the population. Fair and Lovely, a skin-lightening product, is part of 50% of the country’s skincare market and is valued at over $450 to $535 million annually.[4]
The effect of poor body image on mental health goes beyond occasional negative thoughts. Mental health, as per the World Health Organisation is “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. A study at Bradley Hospital found that people with weight preoccupations or body dysmorphic disorder display higher levels of symptoms for depression and anxiety, and are more likely to have suicidal thoughts.[5] Body image dissatisfaction can also cause mental health issues like eating disorders. Among teens ages 13 to 18, 3.8% of females and 1.5% of males are reported to have an eating disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.[6] Over their lifetime, 0.9% of women and 0.3% of men will develop anorexia.[7] Through this research paper the effect of body image on mental health will be analyzed while focusing on the connection between body image and eating disorders as well as the stigma behind body image in India.
Methodology
In order to analyze and make connections in an effective manner various modes of data collection were used.
Primary data:
- Questionnaire: A set of questions based on different aspects of body image were sent to a wide range of targeted age groups to help with collecting statistics and details relating to the perspectives of body image.
- Workshops with an NGO: Interactions with a group of adolescents helped evaluate and take into account a different set of perspectives regarding body image issues.
Analysis
Data from the questionnaire showed that a majority of our targeted audience (81.9%) had heard negative comments regarding body image. This shows that derogatory comments around body image in India still exist in the 21st century. Although we live in a globalizing world, people are not able to come to terms with diverse body types or have stereotypical ideas of the perfect body for each gender.
It can be inferred that around 3/4th of our targeted audience feels pressured to gain or lose weight due to society’s ideas of the perfect body. It is further understood that the stigma behind body image in India affects our audiences’ decisions of whether or not to lose or gain weight. Measures should be taken in the future in order to reduce this stigma. This could be in the form of campaigns and sensitization programs which promote body positivity.
The graph depicts that around a striking 40% of our targeted audience experience mental health issues due to their body image. Body image dissatisfaction can lead to serious mental health problems such as eating disorders, body dysmorphia, anxiety, depression, etc. if it is not treated or addressed immediately. In the long term, India should look at ways to encourage the population to look at their body in a positive manner in order to decrease mental health issues.
Although about 73% of the targeted audience have answered with “No, all body types are beautiful” around an estimated 27% of the audience are still adhered to the fact that only certain types of bodies are beautiful. However, it is presumed that individuals are gradually changing their mindset to accept all body shapes and sizes.
About 58% of the audience answered “No, all body types are beautiful” when asked if the image shown above represents the ideal body image for a man. However, about 42% of the individuals still believe that only specific body types are beautiful.
From this it can be deduced that people have a specific mindset regarding how they perceive body image for men and women. Body images for each gender are evaluated differently. While for the image of the woman, an estimated 73% of individuals suggested that all body types are beautiful, there is a 15% decline in the number of people who believe the same for the man’s picture. It can be inferred that people perceive the definition of “body image” on the basis of gender and cannot generalize body types for genders.
It is clearly portrayed that living in India has affected people’s views on body image. The stigma behind body image in India leaves individuals with a narrow space to evaluate their personal views and opinions towards body image. This stigma around body image makes it difficult to change people’s perceptions of body image. Changing these perceptions can bring to light a more positive and accepting viewpoint towards various body types, resulting in a healthier state of mind as well.
The chart depicts that around 42% of our audience experience body image dissatisfaction. In the long-term, this could take a toll on their mental wellbeing and cause eating disorders. It is pertinent to change their mindsets into a positive one where they feel comfortable with their existing body image.
Around 60% of the people who participated in the survey stated that they felt under confident when they compared their bodies to others. This shows that people base their self-worth based on their appearances while comparing it to others around them. If continued, this can lead to serious body dissatisfaction. Individuals should try to stop comparing themselves to others and be content with their body image.
Approximately 40% of the target audience have underfed themselves in order to achieve their ideal body type. Instead of starving themselves by dieting, they should come to terms with their body as it is as such behaviours might give rise to eating disorders if not rectified. Awareness should be created regarding healthy eating habits to create a positive and holistic view towards one’s own body image.
Sessions with an NGO
Online workshops were conducted with a section of students between the ages of thirteen and sixteen with an NGO based in Delhi called “Pratyek”.
It was expected that the students were going to have stereotypical views about the perfect body image and gender equality, like women having lean bodies and men not crying. However, when asked questions related to insecurities they have about their body image, most students said they love every part of their bodies. This shows that society is gradually changing their mindset about body image. Moreover, the majority of the audience were able to talk confidently about their experiences of being bullied owing to their skin colour and physical features. This is an indicator of how a large section of teenagers are growing out of their fears and insecurities and can freely put them forward towards others.
The idea of brands like “Fair and Lovely” promoting fair complexion being preferred over a darker complexion was strongly rejected by the students as they suggested that it lowers confidence among individuals about their body image and appearance.
Conclusion
Drawing connections between the varied perspectives regarding body image, stigma behind body image in India, and mental health helped understand certain assumptions. Although India is developing every day, a part of the population still seems to be stuck on a false narrative. Getting to know that about 40% of our target audience have underfed themselves to achieve an ideal body image was frightening. Individuals continue to carry strong opinions based on body image, such as changing oneself in a harmful way to meet the ideal body image as per societal standards.
However, children who come from lower socio-economic backgrounds seem to have developed positive mindsets towards body image which was contrary to the expectations we had going into the workshops. Statements such as, “Love your body just the way it is” aided to come to the conclusion that society’s stigma behind body image is gradually disappearing.
Issues like body dysmorphia, anorexia and eating disorders should be openly spoken about for people struggling with such issues to overcome them. Moreover, people should change the way they look at themselves in the mirror. Instead of focusing on their insecurities, they should learn to focus on what they love about their body.
Over time, the population of India will soon love itself for who they are with awareness campaigns and guidance in the right direction. This research on body image and mental health can be taken further by exploring “Impact of awareness campaigns on changing existing perspectives of body image in India”.
Recommendations
- Communities and various societies should start workshops, sensitization programs and awareness campaigns to educate large groups of people about body positivity and the related mental health issues.
- Encourage individuals experiencing body dissatisfaction or body dysmorphia to seek help from therapists. They should also be able to feel comfortable to talk about their mental health issues among others to relate and empathize.
- People should engage in activities that instill mental positivity and help them feel better about their bodies and themselves.
- Schools should introduce curriculums based on body image and mental health issues to educate the future generation about it from a young age. In turn, less individuals would undergo body dissatisfaction.
Authors: Aarna Gupta, Aditi Srinivasan, Anshu Boinpalli, and Vashundhara Paul
Bibliography
“Body Image.” NEDC, nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-explained/body-image. Accessed 8 July 2021.
“Body Image Report – Executive Summary.” Mental Health Foundation, www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/body-image-report/exec-summary. Accessed 11 July 2021.
“Mental Health: Strengthening Our Response.” 30 Mar. 2018, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
Soohinda, Geeta, et al. “Body Dissatisfaction and Its Relation to Big Five Personality Factors and Self-Esteem in Young Adult College Women in India.” NCBI, Indian Journal of Psychiatry, July 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6657548.
Sundac, Marta. “Everything You Need to Know about the Movement against Skin Whitening.” Vogue, 10 Sept. 2020, www.vogue.in/beauty/content/the-movement-against-skin-whitening-products-what-you-need-to-know.
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[1] “Body Image.” NEDC, nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-explained/body-image. Accessed 8 July 2021.
[2] “Body Image Report – Executive Summary.” Mental Health Foundation, www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/body-image-report/exec-summary. Accessed 11 July 2021.
[3] Soohinda, Geeta, et al. “Body Dissatisfaction and Its Relation to Big Five Personality Factors and Self-Esteem in Young Adult College Women in India.” NCBI, Indian Journal of Psychiatry, July 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6657548.
[4] Sundac, Marta. “Everything You Need to Know about the Movement against Skin Whitening.” Vogue, 10 Sept. 2020, www.vogue.in/beauty/content/the-movement-against-skin-whitening-products-what-you-need-to-know.
[5] “The Skin I’m In: How Body Image Affects Mental Health.” Project Helping, 26 Mar. 2019, projecthelping.org/body-image-mental-health.
[6] Caceres, Vanessa. “Eating Disorder Statistics.” U.S. News, 14 Feb. 2020, health.usnews.com/conditions/eating-disorder/articles/eating-disorder-statistics.
[7] Caceres, Vanessa. “Eating Disorder Statistics.” U.S. News, 14 Feb. 2020, health.usnews.com/conditions/eating-disorder/articles/eating-disorder-statistics.