Body image pertains to a person’s feelings and beliefs about their body and level of attractiveness. Concerns start at a young age: approx. 40-50% of girls and boys ages 6-12 are unhappy with their appearance[1]; 70-80% of adolescent girls are unhappy with their bodies[2]; and 15-50% of adolescent boys are dissatisfied with their bodies[3]. Approx. 10-13% of young women will develop eating disorders.[4]

The majority of youth will not develop eating disorders but may be characterized by feeling insecure in their body, inhibited in expressing their needs, disconnected to themselves, and engaging in practices that harm their body.[5] All of this subsequently can result in decreased self-esteem, increased anxiety and depression.[6] A person’s body image level significantly influences how a person positively or negatively experiences life!

Additionally, it is important to recognize that not everyone holds a negative body image. However, just because someone does not have a negative body image does not mean they have a positive body image. Characteristics that emerge out of a positive body image include participating in self-care behaviours, appreciating and respecting one’s body, minimizing exposure to harmful media, emphasizing one’s personality and internal characteristics as important, and having a flexible standard of attractiveness. [7]

What makes us different?

Free to Be is one of the only body image programs created for both girls and boys.  While many programs aim to decrease negative factors for developing eating disorders, Free to Be uses a strengths-based approach to promote and increase positive body image regardless of the person’s initial level of body image. Our aim is to nurture a positive body image and positive related characteristics that promote growth and vitality in both boys and girls.

[1] Smolak, L. (2011). Body image development in childhood. In T. F. Cash & L. Smolak (Eds.), Body Image : A Handbook of Science, Practice, and Prevention (2nd ed., pp. 67 –75). New York, NY, USA: Guilford Press.

[2] Lawler, M., & Nixon, E. (2011). Body dissatisfaction among adolescent boys and girls: The effects of body mass, peer appearance culture and internalization of appearance ideals. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40(1), 59–71. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9500-2;  Wertheim, E. H., & Paxton, S. J. (2011). Body image development in adolescent girls. In T. F. Cash & L. Smolak (Eds.), Body Image : A Handbook of Science, Practice, and Prevention (2nd ed., pp. 76 – 82). New York, NY, USA: Guilford Press.

[3] Barker, E. T., & Galambos, N. L. (2003). Body dissatisfaction of adolescent girls and boys: Risk and resources factors. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 23(2), 141–165. http://doi.org/10.1177/0272431603251081;

Bearman, S. K., Presnell, K., Martinez, E., & Stice, E. (2006). The skinny on body dissatisfaction: A longitudinal study of adolescent girls and boys. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35(2), 229–241. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-005-9010-9

[4] Stice, E., Marti, C. N., & Rohde, P. (2013). Prevalence, incidence, impairment, and course of the proposed DSM-5 eating disorder diagnoses in an 8-year prospective community study of young women. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 122(2), 445–57. http://doi.org/10.1037/a0030679

[5] Piran, N. & Teall, T. (2012). The Developmental Theory of Embodiment. In G. L. McVey, M. P. Levine, N. Piran, & H. B. Ferguson (Eds.), Preventing eating-related and weight-related disorders: Collaborative research, advocacy, and policy change (pp. 169- 198). Waterloo, ON: Wilfried Laurier University Press; Ricciardelli, L. A., & McCabe, M. P. (2011). Body image development in adolescent boyds. In L. Cash, T. F. & Smolak (Ed.), Body Image : A Handbook of Science, Practice, and Prevention (2nd ed., pp. 85 – 91). New York, NY, USA: Guilford Press.; 

The National Eating Disorders Collaboration. (2010). Eating Disorders Prevention, Treatment and Management: An Evidence Review. Retrieved from http://www.nedc.com.au/files/pdfs/NEDC_Evidence Review_Final.pdf

[6] Wertheim, E. H., Koerner, J., & Paxton, S. J. (2001). Longitudinal predictors of restrictive eating and bulimic tendencies in three different age groups of adolescent girls. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 30(1), 69–81. http://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005224921891

[7] Tylka, T. L. (2011). Positive psychology perspectives on body image. In T. F. Cash & L. Smolak (Eds.), Body Image : A Handbook of Science, Practice, and Prevention (2nd ed., pp. 56–65). New York, NY, USA: Guilford Press.