Girls and Body Image

Monday, August 27, 2007

Nancy L. Brown, PhD

There is a very scary myth out there that plastic surgery improves self-esteem. Dr. Jenny O'Dea from the University of Sydney recently said in an interview with someone from The Border Mail that 27% of the 4,000 girls between the ages of 11 and 18 she interviewed would get plastic surgery if they could and 2% already had done some plastic surgery. Most of the participants were unhappy with their bodies, 60% wanted to weigh less and 45% knew someone with an eating disorder.

In contrast, what we know as parents and psychologists is that what makes teenage girls really happy are their friends and relationships, as well as what they do with their lives - nothing with how they look. Somehow we have to help young girls realize that who they are is more important than what they look like.

Photo Credit: rako

Tags: Healthline, teen health, body image

Labels: Body Image

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