Conforming to societal beauty standards can have a significant impact on mental health during weight loss journeys in several ways:
Comparison and Self-Esteem
When individuals are constantly bombarded with images of the “ideal” body type in the media, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. This pressure to conform can cause individuals to compare themselves to unrealistic standards, leading to negative self-perception and dissatisfaction with their own bodies.
Body Image Dissatisfaction
Societal pressure to conform to beauty standards can exacerbate body image dissatisfaction during weight loss journeys. As individuals strive to meet these standards, they may become hyper-focused on perceived flaws or imperfections, which can lead to unhealthy behaviors and negative self-talk.
Stress and Anxiety
The pressure to conform to beauty standards can create stress and anxiety for individuals on weight loss journeys. Constantly worrying about meeting these standards can increase levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, leading to heightened anxiety and potential mental health issues.
Social Isolation
Individuals may also experience social isolation as a result of societal pressure to conform to beauty standards. Feeling like they do not measure up to these standards can cause individuals to withdraw from social situations, leading to feelings of loneliness and further impacting mental health.
Disordered Eating Patterns
Societal pressure to conform to beauty standards can contribute to the development of disordered eating patterns during weight loss journeys. Individuals may resort to extreme dieting or restrictive eating habits in an effort to achieve the desired body type, which can have serious implications for both physical and mental health.
Depression
The constant pressure to conform to beauty standards can also contribute to feelings of depression among individuals on weight loss journeys. The sense of never being “good enough” or constantly striving for an unattainable ideal can take a toll on mental well-being and lead to depression.