The truth is, there are so many concerning issues in todays world.
Low self esteem is only one of many. There is depression, suicide, orientation confusion, homophobia, children caught in the middle of families, drug abuse, sexual abuse, physical and emotional abuse, harrassment, orphans, animal abuse, lethal diseases like cancer or HIV, War, hunger, global warming and injustice.

Raising concern about low self esteem is one of the good places to start. If more people feel better about themselves, personal problems would decrease. Issues such as homophobia, suicide depression, and drug abuse they can all be caused by low self esteem. If more people felt better about themselves, they would feel better about other people too. We could worry less about the personal issues, and go on to fight the more world wide issues like hunger, injustice, global warming and diseases.
So speak up, let your beautiful voices be heard.
Sing, Speak, Scream, Write, Paint, Play, Practise. Do whatever you can do to help make a difference in this world, and someone out there somewhere will hear you, and feel the same.
Keep in mind when you watch music videos, or read magazines, most of those people are told to look that way. They are poked, prodded, pushed and pulled to look 'perfect', when the real truth is there is no such thing as perfect. Pictures are edited, videos conscrewed, faces airbrushed and bodies altered. The models that we see on the runway, yes they are beautiful, but they are beautiful on the inside. Just because they look like that, doesnt mean we have to.
If you ask me, the only reason why famous models are so skinny, is because there is less body to cover in material.
Everyone is beautiful, even skinny models. Just everyone should have a chance to walk the runway. If you have a pretty face (which you most likely do) a beautiful personality, and a fierceness and desire to be a model, then you should have that right. You shouldnt be cut off because you are too short, or because your a little overweight. If your healthy, and beautiful who cares? I would love to see some girls with curves and guys with a body walk down the catwalk too, not just thin fit ladies or muscular or thin men.

Have some diversity with that diet darling, and the world will be a happier healthier place. Less eating disorders. Oh and also, lets try to cut back on that fried greasey gunk and make our insides beautiful and healthy too!

xoxoxo

I love that song! And a really good movie to watch is Hairspray (I like the 2007 musical version better, but the 1988 movie is okay, too). It addresses issues of body image, civil rights, and creativity without being preachy and still being awesomely entertaining!

its definately still bad if you purposely make yourself throw up..... even if you only do it once or twice a month. its harmful to your body and heres a really gross thing you can tell your friend that might make her stop. whenever you throw up, your stomach acids (they are really powerful)eat away at the inside of your mouth. eventually it can cause tooth enamel to disolve and the inside of your mouth gets really nasty and it hurts. not good. tell your friend to stop and if she dosent then i suggest getting help from a trusted adult. i know thats what people always say, but do it! there was a girl at my school and she was anorexic and some friends talked to a counselor about it and now shes doing much better. i hope things turn out ok.

Can anyone help me with a problem i have with my friend?
She does make herself throw up, but only once err twice a month.
I dont like it when she does and i want her to stop but she says that its not as harmful then if you do it bunches.
Can anyone help me with saying if its better err not.

LISTEN: girls, you are yourself! you shouldn't compare yourself to other people, because you aren't like them! embrace your uniqueness, and go with it! and if your friends are making you think self-destructive thoughts, maybe you should find some friends that make you feel good about yourself! after all, that's what friends are for!

still not convinced? read this poem:
"A person's a person, no matter how small. Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." -Dr. Seuss

read that everyday, and you'll feel good about yourself.

and if that doesn't work, listen to the song Freckles by Natasha Bedingfield, and that should help your confidence.

be strong, love your family, love your friends, but before all, love YOURSELF! (: (: (: (:

No one can make you happy like you can.
No one can be your biggest hero except yourself.
No one can make you change who you are except you.
Every one of us is unique and awesome in our own way and I believe that every one of us needs to look in the mirror and be happy for who we are. There is not one person like you. Be happy for life. Be happy for your life. And smile.

All I can say is when you learn to love yourself, others will love you to. So love yourself!

We are constantly bombarded with all these images of perfect bodies. We may see models in fashion magazines and "hot" celebreties in others. Everyday I ask myself "Am I suppose to change into those bodies or enjoy my own?" Many teenagers belive that they are comfortable with themselves when in reality they have some hidden desires to have that "perfect body".
Everyday I see both girls and boys at my school talk about their image. It seems as if the only reason to come to school is to show the new dress or new shoes they bought.
What ever happened to inner beauty? We live in a materialistic world in which in oder to be accepted you have to be "pretty" or "handsome". I believe teenagers should feel comfortable with themselves, by doing that he/she will be able to make a difference in this world.

I think that body image is a way too hold you back! I mean fat and skinny people can do the same greatness no matter what the profession! i just don't know why people would want too focus on thing's like that i mean your weight won't help you get a job or help you get an education. Sure people may make fun of people who are "over wieght" but if you ask me it's just because yuor diffrent and people don't like diffrent. Don't let you being "fat" hold you back it's a way to make you want to move foward.

Yes we are all different. Although that’s also what many of our minds tell us. “We are different; we have to diet and watch our weight.” No matter where you have heard this or who you have heard this from it is untrue.
I still remember the first time I heard it. From day to day I still struggle with the notion that I am so different that I don’t have to eat, leave out my favorite dessert, say no to my friends that want to eat out, lie to Mom that there is something wrong with that restaurant (yet it’s because they don’t have a salad bar).
Although I have been diagnosed with an eating disorder, I still know that everyday men and women struggle with body image. They tell themselves that “I’m just different I have to diet. I’m different, for me to be accepted by others I have to diet to stay thin.”
No, when we think we need to diet we don’t hear the truth. We hear “I’m fat. I’m ugly. Look at that flab. If I would just lose some weight I could get a boyfriend. How did I let myself get this way. It is time for a diet.” Yet in truth this is not what is really going on with us. Behind all of the hating, disappointment, dieting, and obsessing are our true emotions. You may feel unaccepted which also means you have not accepted yourself; there’s something your unhappy about. Even normal everyday emotions will make your body image fluctuate. Sadness, anger, disappointment, hurt, tired.
Once I was sick and tired of truly being sick and tired. I made a conscience effort to change. I may have it hard and there are hurdles everyday but there is a lot out in this world for me. I told my therapist and psychiatrist that this was it; I’m ready to give all of it up.
When I began working on my body image and eating patterns it was difficult. I was scared that no one would accept me, that there would be no end to my weight and I would blow up like a balloon. Yet what I knew was that what I was really afraid of was becoming unsuccessful, hated, and unaccepted.
As I look at my body everyday now, I still here those negative comments that were translated to me that I believed for a long time. Although I now counteract them with more accepting thoughts to love my body for the way it is. It is not my right to change my body, nor is it my right to know my weight. When I sit down to eat, I have a choice. My choices are life or my eating disorder. I continue to remind myself of that every meal and I continue to succeed over it. My anger and stress are the two emotions that my eating disorder likes to seep in with. I hear that “There is no need to eat. I don’t have time to eat.” Although I hear this I still must make time for myself because when I do I then am more able to think correctly in the times of stress and anger to get through the situations.
Since I have made the conscience decision I don’t seem to have to obsess over the food. This leaves space in my brain for me to think about things going on in my TRUE life. I’ve become a happier person and more social person because I do not have my eating disorder or body image controlling me.

To those interested in reading about eating disorders, a good (albeit fictional) place to start is Perfect, by Natasha Friend. It's a very good novel about a girl with bulimia, and although it is a work of fiction, it provides a very real glimpse into the life of a very normal girl with bulimia.

Body image is an issue for all young people today. We are constantly bombarded with publicity that tells us, both directly and indirectly, that we would all be more attractive if we just lost some weight. From celebrities to fad diets to models who are even too skinny for the clothes they advertise, developing a positive body image is practically impossible! However, it most certainly can be done, and there are just a couple of steps that everyone, (both guys and girls) must take before we can be on the road to a happier and healthier view of our bodies and ourselves. First, we must realize that celebrities and models are just that- celebrities and models. They are not normal people with real lives. Normal people can not afford private chefs, 24 hour personal trainers, and a makeup crew. If we could, we would all look like celebrities, and celebrities would no longer be interesting. Next, we have to realize that every body has its’ own natural, healthy shape and weight. If we exercise and eat a balanced diet, we can maximize our physical and mental health, and our appearance will reflect that health. We also have to realize that nobody is in fact perfect. Even the people we idolize have a list of flaws that they would like to change about their bodies. Therefore, chances are that no one sees all of the imperfections that we believe we have. Our friends and families will love us whether or not we have a six- pack; as important as appearance may seem, it is only half as important as our character and what we “bring to the table” otherwise.

Negative body image can have an effect on your overall confidence as well as at your physique. With a negative body image, you can easily get lost in paying too much attention to what the media and fashion industries are trying to promote. In many ways, the media and fashion industry create unrealistic portrayals of body image from " thin is beautiful" to "being buffed is better" that can harm your health. More importantly, having a negative body image can affect your studies, relationships, and interests.

Instead, adopt a healthier body image by
1- Finding what makes you feel good and happy.
2- What do you like about yourself- sense of humor? Style?
3- Know that media can be deceiving- ie. Fashion photos are constantly digitially photoshop. Everyone has flaws even models!
4- Know the qualities you like about yourself
5- Take up more time to enjoy doing what you like to do : dancing, playing a sport, walking your dog
6- Look for role models that embrace healthy living ie. Tyra Banks and her openess about her weight, her body image, and appearance
7- Talk to family members, friends, or peers about body image concerns
8- Change your outlook and focus on improving your health, mood, and energy instead of trying to have your body matched the "ideal" image
9- Do Something! Start an awareness group- like Body Image Council. Gather inspirational speakers, physicians, health care educators to educate and inform about health risks involved with negative body image.
10- To support others in motivating for healthier eating habits and regular physical activity.

In a society that encourages uniqueness but glorifies a model physical appearance, it is hard for teens as young adults to find a balance between being themselves and surrendering to the norms set forth by Hollywood and its overwhelming sources of public media. Just as some ideas such as women not having a valid voice and serving solely as housewives has over time become an old fashion absurdity, I hope that one day the notion of the one acceptable body type becomes just that—absurd!

Becoming a young adult includes becoming an individual, able to make choices and decisions that matter. Just as we are proud of having different talents-writing, singing, dancing, sports, you name it-we must be proud of our individual and beautiful bodies! It is a challenging time in our lives, but confidence and a strong support system are sure to do the job. Be proud of who you are and help others around you become so as well. Every day that goes by we grow a little more, and the idea of a "flawed body" enters the mind of one more teen dealing with changes. We can all use our own personal experiences and help fight insecurities in other teens, preventing devastating eating disorders, depression and unnecessary measures to achieve the non existent "perfect body image".

Talk to your siblings and friends-be an inspiration and help create a body image free community.

KNOW that you are perfect the way you are. FIGHT the suppressing norms. TELL everyone you know, and HELP create a world full of REAL bodies and minds.