Satisfaction with one's own body, linked to happiness

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

In relation to this, a team of researchers from Chapman University has recently published A study in which the psychological factors that are related to satisfaction with one's own appearance are explored and the 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 own appearance is valued keeps a very close relationship with satisfaction with one's life trajectory, something that we can also call, simply, happiness.

However, there are some nuances to these results.

not even men are 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 own body was the third most powerful predictor of satisfaction with one's life, below the economic situation and satisfaction with the couple. In men, only one element was more related to life satisfaction than the way in which one's physique is valued: satisfaction with the economic situation.

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

Very picky about weight

This study also reveals that among those surveyed 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 we add to this proportion of people surveyed those who feel "somewhat satisfied" with what they weigh, the set only reaches half of the people consulted. Furthermore, satisfaction with body weight and satisfaction with physical appearance have been shown to be extremely related.

These results don't say much about the actual weight of Americans or their state of health, just attends to the way in which they assess their body weight. And what has been found reinforces the idea that great importance is being placed on the (fictitious) need to conform to some canons of beauty in which the body fat index must be minimal and, in the case of women, many areas of the body should have the smallest volume possible. As a result, many people believe that they are far from their ideal weight.

You may be interested in reading this post: "Does physique matter when flirting? 3 reflections on beauty"

The weight sets the agenda

Weight is important 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 sexual life.

In addition, people with greater dissatisfaction with their weight tended to show a style of relating to others more governed by anxiety and fear of rejection, obtaining relatively high scores in neuroticism. This can lead to a vicious cycle in which the fear of losing contact with others generates a greater concern for one's appearance, which leads to greater worry and anxiety for social relationships, etc.

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

beyond the image

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

For this part of society, the issue of image and aesthetics cannot be ignored, because this facet of their identity is closely related to fears and insecurities that affect them in their day to day.