In the modern way of life the image has a fundamental importance , and this seems to apply also in the way we judge ourselves. That is why the way we value our appearance is very relevant. The physique has a role in the search for work and relationships with others, but also in something much more important: our self-image and self-esteem.

In connection with this, a team of researchers from Chapman University recently published a study exploring the psychological factors that are related to satisfaction with one’s appearance and body weight of a total of 12,000 Americans. One of the main conclusions of this study is that the way in which one’s appearance is valued is very closely related to satisfaction with one’s life trajectory, something that we can also call, simply, happiness.

However, there are some nuances in these results.

Even men are not saved

We tend to associate concern for appearances with the female sex, but this study breaks with this idea. In women, satisfaction with one’s body was the third most powerful predictor of satisfaction with one’s life , below the economic situation and satisfaction with one’s partner. In men, only one element was more related to life satisfaction than the way in which one values one’s physical self: satisfaction with the economic situation.

These results indicate that, at least in American society or, by extension, in Western cultures, the male self-image is far from irrelevant.

Very demanding with the weight

This study also reveals that among the respondents there is a relatively low percentage of people who are satisfied with their own weight. Only 24% of men and 20% of women feel between very satisfied and extremely satisfied with it . If to this proportion of people surveyed we add those who feel “somewhat satisfied” with their weight, the total only reaches half of the people consulted. Moreover, satisfaction with body weight and satisfaction with physical appearance have been shown to be extremely related.

These results do not say much about the actual weight of Americans or their health status, but rather looks at the way they assess their body weight . And what has been found reinforces the idea that a lot of importance is being placed on the (fictitious) need to conform to beauty standards in which the body fat index has to be minimal and, in the case of women, many areas of the body should have the least volume possible. As a result, many people believe they are far from their ideal weight.

You may be interested in reading this post: “Does the physique matter when it comes to flirting? 3 reflections on beauty”

Weight marks the agenda

Weight has importance in people’s general well-being levels, beyond what is traditionally understood by health. For example, the results of this study show that people with greater dissatisfaction with their own weight show a clear tendency to show low levels of self-esteem and dissatisfaction with their sexual life.

In addition, people with greater dissatisfaction with their weight tended to show a style of relating to others that was more governed by anxiety and fear of rejection, obtaining relatively high scores in neuroticism. This can lead to a vicious circle in which the fear of losing touch with others generates greater concern for one’s own appearance, leading to greater concern and anxiety about social relationships, etc.

In contrast, people who were more satisfied with their physique tended to score higher on extraversion and openness to experience, as well as developing a type of bond with others in which fear does not play a role.

Beyond the image

Regardless of whether we believe that self-image matters more or less, this study shows that the starting situation is what it is, and many people feel a kind of dissatisfaction related not so much to what they really weigh but to the way they see themselves physically.

For this part of society the question of image and aesthetics cannot be ignored, because this facet of their identity is very much related to fears and insecurities that affect them in their daily lives .