Battling Body Image: Confidence vs. Self-Consciousness in Young Adults

A study involving 1,000 young adults highlights moderate to severe body image concerns affecting nearly half of underweight and obese individuals. The research underscores the psychological well-being impact across different weight categories and calls for comprehensive health policies and educational programs targeting these issues.

Researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, have uncovered significant concerns related to body image among young adults. According to their study, nearly half of the underweight and obese participants reported experiencing moderate to severe issues of self-consciousness and a lack of confidence.

The study, published in the Journal of Education and Health Promotion, highlighted that over a third felt judged, and around a quarter faced weight-related anxiety. Distinct patterns emerged: self-consciousness was closely linked to obesity, while confidence issues were more severe in underweight individuals.

Authors argue for urgent reforms in health policies, advocating for educational and healthcare integration of body image literacy and resilience programs. They believe such initiatives could foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for the psychological and physical well-being of young adults.

(With inputs from agencies.)