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Whether we like it or not, we live in an image-obsessed society. We are inundated with celebrity and media ideals that heavily influence many individuals to strive to attain an unrealistic image and body ideal. This can hurt anyone's self-perception and it can be considerably damaging to teenagers and adolescents, who are still growing. In addition, it may influence them to engage in risk behaviors. Jennifer Dyl, PhD, of the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center, is an expert on the topics of adolescent self-esteem and body disorders, including body dysmorphic disorder. "It can be normal for teens to compare themselves to others as they work on arriving at their own unique identities. However, in the area of body image this can take the form of comparing themselves to unrealistic media images," says Dyl. Dyl continues, "It is helpful to discuss with teens the ways in which media images are often unrealistic (e.g. airbrushing, computerized alterations, etc.) It is also important to encourage teens to embrace their unique qualities. Teens need to recognize that there is no one ideal of physical attractiveness ." |
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