Body Image Dissatisfaction among Adolescents

Abstract

Body image dissatisfaction (BID) refers to a negative perception or attitude towards one’s own body, often stemming from a perceived mismatch between actual appearance and societal ideals. This issue is especially prevalent among adolescents, a group undergoing significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes. Research indicates that both boys and girls experience body dissatisfaction, though girls are often more affected, associating appearance with self-worth. The increasing influence of Western beauty standards, media portrayals, and social media exposure has intensified body dissatisfaction globally, including in Asian countries like Nepal. Historical and theoretical contributions—from Paul Schilder’s concept of body image to Festinger’s social comparison theory and Fredrickson & Roberts’ objectification theory—have deepened the understanding of this phenomenon. This paper, based on secondary data from journals and articles, highlights the risk factors, historical context, and measurement tools of BID, and calls for continued research and intervention strategies to address its growing impact on adolescent health and well-being.