Summer Weather Aggravates Negative Body Perceptions

Summer is upon us - and this is a time we need to be especially aware of our own body image. During the warm weather season, negative body perceptions are aggravated for many people. Clothing is thinner and less substantial, increasing feelings of inadequacy which manifest as poor body image. It is during this time that men and women sometimes take drastic measures to try and get their bodies to an “ideal” size they feel comfortable showing off in the summer – and these drastic measures can lead to serious eating disorders.

People begin the warm-weather season thinking they need to lose a few pounds to look good. They may go on a crash diet or begin a cycle of binging and purging. Positive reinforcement of this sudden weight loss by peers could cause a person to feel like he or she must maintain that type of body to feel good about him or herself, and this can trigger or reinforce eating disorder behaviors.

But we must remember that even when someone does lose weight to fit into that swimsuit, if he or she is not comfortable from the inside out they will never feel good in anything they wear. As people continue to lose weight and receive praise, they feel they need to keep going and keep losing weight – which quickly turns into a full-blown eating disorder. Watching for warning signs of an eating disorder during these months leading up to the summer is crucial for loved ones and friends – and not being afraid to talk to someone if you suspect they have a problem. Anorexia nervosa has the highest premature mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder, so the earlier it is addressed, the more likely the individual is to find recovery and begin to work on their own self esteem and body image issues.

Many people who suffer from eating disorders are not clinically overweight – they simply see themselves in a distorted fashion – so it is best to consult with a doctor if you want advice about losing weight. Eating healthfully one day at a time is the only way to maintain consistent and healthy weight loss if a doctor determines you have a weight issue. Crash dieting because you have to fit into a swimsuit this summer is not healthy, nor is it safe. Just remember, it’s not about what you eat, but rather, what is eating you. You can learn by visiting the Timberline Knolls website.

As always, I encourage you to email questions you have about eating disorders or topics you would like me to address in an upcoming column or on this blog to Dr.Kim@itsallinthejourney.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Dr. Kim