body image topic links

Positive Body Image

Maintaining a healthy body image is important for building self-esteem and overall well-being. Here are some ways to cultivate a positive body image:
1. Focus on your strengths instead of perceived flaws.
2. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people who value you beyond your appearance.
3. Practice self-care and prioritize activities that make you feel good about yourself.
4. Avoid comparisons to others and recognize that everyone's body is unique.
5. Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations. By implementing these habits, you can improve your self-image and lead a more confident and fulfilling life.

Men & Body Image

Weight management is an important health issue that affects many individuals. In particular, men who struggle with weight may also experience negative body image concerns. By approaching weight issues and body image concerns in a loving and open manner, individuals can receive the support and assistance they need to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Discrimination in the workplace

"93% of all employers would rather choose a potential employee that was of normal weight than they would somebody who was visibly overweight."

“It was reported that heavy women earned $9,000 dollars less on average than those who were at a normal weight. Very heavy women earned as much as $19,000 dollars less.” – EKU

The numbers are significant enough to cover rent for a year or even impact the ability to own a vehicle, and may be dependent on personal biases or discrimination towards individuals who are overweight.
To make matters even harder to comprehend “57% of employers believe that it is a result of poor willpower and that obesity is a disease.” according to a study by Eastern Kentucky University.

For the record:
I think if healthcare / insurance did more helping and less judging I think weight management would be a much more approachable for MANY people who SUFFER. 

Weight Loss Programs

Weight loss programs like Noom, Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig have been found to work, however as a long term program are not always sustainable. This is probable for multiple reasons but for this example I will talk about financially. The range is about $60 – $70+ per Month not including food yet. Or if you want a price per pound loss $45-79 (Adkins), $48-102 (South Beach) and getting weight loss surgery per pound is over $400 per pound.

Research has shown that yo-yo dieting can actually result in weight gain in the long-term, as it can lead to a lowered metabolism. Therefore, it’s advisable to adopt gradual changes to your eating and physical activity habits that can be sustained over time. Effective weight management should be viewed as a lifelong commitment, rather than a short-term diet. It’s important to be cautious with diets as they can have negative implications on our metabolic rate due to the body’s response to semi-starvation.

Thin Privilege

Thin privilege arises from the societal standards of beauty that favor thin bodies over larger ones. This concept highlights the advantages that thinner individuals may experience as a result of conforming to these standards. It is important to acknowledge and understand this privilege because it can perpetuate discrimination and bias against people who do not fit this ideal. The conversation surrounding thin privilege is significant in the pursuit of a more inclusive and accepting society, one that values diversity and sees the beauty in all body types. It is crucial to engage in these conversations in a respectful and empathetic manner, recognizing that each individual has their own unique experiences and perspectives on this topic.