When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see?

Question:  There is so much pressure at my high school to be skinny and fit.  In the locker room, it is so obvious when other girls are pointing at the "fat girl."  I don't think I'm overweight, but I'm not necessarily ultra skinny.  I would say that I'm healthy.  BUT I do feel this pressure to lose weight so I can fit in with the "cool crowd."  I would say I could lose about 15 pounds and then I would be satisfied... What's the best way to lose weight? (Dallas, TX)

If "Mean Girls" is any indication, these girls will end up being hit by buses.
 

Social Shrink:  This is a common question among women and young girls and we're glad you brought it up.  You're under the same pressure many women in the US are faced with to measure up to a certain societal or cultural idea of what is an appropriate size.   

The reality is that a healthy body does not mean being skinny.  On the contrary, healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. If you are feel discontent about your body not because you are overweight, but because you want to "fit in," then you have a negative perception of your body image that needs to quickly change.  Being unhappy about your body can cause unhealthy dieting habits, low self-esteem, emotional distress/anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.  What we urge you to do is to develop a positive body image so that it leads to a healthy attitude and self-perception for your overall well-being.

We all want to look our best, but a healthy body is not always linked to appearance. In fact, healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Changing your body image to fulfill a so-called "norm" or cultural definition of beauty is not only a unhealthy, but will never be achieved.  Nobody looks exactly like the other and despite what the media or society or our culture may say, we do not live in a cookie-cutter world.  Embrace what God has given you, love who see in the mirror everyday, and show everyone how beautiful you are inside and out.  There is no reason at all to lose weight to fit in.  In the end, people will see how happy you are inside and out, and they will want to be friends with you.

Check out these for more info:

• The Media, Body Image and Eating Disorders 
• Learn more about the risks of eating disorders here.
• Mayo Clinic: Tips for a Healthy Body Image