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Core Content
Adolescent girls are at higher risk of having a negative body image. This is in part because women disproportionately face harmful stereotypes and gender norms, and because of body changes during puberty.
There are several key influences of girls’ body image in daily life:
Puberty
Puberty can make girls become more critical towards their bodies, particularly as the body goes through significant changes (e.g., acne, changes in body height, weight and shape). During puberty, girls might also start comparing their bodies to their peers and to their own ideas of what an ‘ideal’ body looks like. These are some of the changes girls may experience in puberty and their impact on body image:
Skin – puberty can cause acne or breakouts, which can make girls feel more self-conscious about their skin and choose to wear makeup during practice.
Sweat – some girls can feel self-conscious about sweat or body odor and may want to avoid strenuous exercise to avoid sweating.
Periods – some girls may feel uncomfortable (mentally or physically) to train while on their periods or not have access to the appropriate resources (education, private bathrooms, menstrual products).
Breast development – some girls’ bodies mature faster than others, which can make girls self-conscious or uncomfortable (e.g., due to lack of appropriate sports bras).
Peers
Especially in adolescence, peers (e.g., classmates, friends, teammates, opponents) have a big influence on how girls feel about their bodies. Peers can have both positive and negative influences on girls’ body image.
Parents / Guardians
& Family Members
Just as with peers, parents/guardians can have a positive or a negative influence on girls’ body image. Parents’ own body image concerns and behaviors can also affect how girls feel about their bodies.
Media & Advertising
Media, and in particular social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok have a strong influence on how girls think and feel about their bodies. Media often promotes a very narrow and unrealistic appearance ideal. Additionally, girls may be exposed to toxic fitness influencers, who promote before/after body photos or dangerous diet products (e.g., ‘weight-loss lollipops’, ‘detox teas’).
CLothes
Many shops only cater to certain body types and limited body shapes and sizes. This can make it difficult for some people to find clothes that fit their bodies in mainstream shops.
Objectification & Sexualization
The objectification and sexualization of girls’ bodies and the related self-objectification, can make girls become hyper aware of how their bodies look, which in turn can lead to more body image concerns.
Gender Stereotypes
Gender stereotypes can put pressure on girls to look and act a certain way while playing sports. When girls act, look or behave in ways that are not considered ‘feminine’, they often face discrimination, harassment, judgment, bullying, teasing, social isolation, negative evaluation, and unequal or unfair treatment.
