Youth Culture Window

Body Shaming

body-shaming

Dynamic Imagenew study has revealed “shocking” data: girls don’t respond well to being called “fat.” Granted, those are my words, but that’s essentially what psychologists from UCLA had to say about the conclusions of their study on body shaming.

Body shaming – the act of mocking or humiliating someone through critical comments about their body shape or size – is a subject of growing concern…probably due to its growing frequency. Reports have found that 94% of teen girls and 64% of teen boys have experienced “some level of ridicule for the way they look.” Those numbers are high, but sadly, they’re probably accurate. In case you haven’t noticed, we live in a cruel world. Even iconic celebrities (who many believe are perfect specimens of the human physique) have felt the sting of body shaming.

The consequences of body shaming can vary like the insults themselves…and last much longer than expected. Jeffrey Hunger, one of the lead researchers at UCLA explains, “How we talk about weight – especially with young girls – can have really negative effects on mental and physical health.” Some of those “effects” include the possibility of binge eating, unhealthy weight control measures (vomiting or laxatives or skipping meals altogether), and increased dieting. In other words, many kids who experience body shaming pick up really bad habits as a coping mechanism that negatively affect them later in life.

You gotta ask, “Who would be cruel enough to subject teens to this kind of torture?”

As the title of this article says, the answer may surprise you.

This related study (conducted on men and women) by Fit Rated found that 90% of adults have also been body shamed. While media is guilty of spreading unrealistic and graphically-altered images of an “ideal body” or an “ideal face,” the list of those who frequently commit body shaming are those we know personally…and moms top the list.

Yep, according to the report, 63% of women (and 31% of men) had been wounded by words from their mothers. 62% of women (and 47% of men) had been stung by friends. Significant others were also among the culprits; 50% of ladies experienced it from their partners (and so had 23% of guys). Fathers, siblings, co-workers, bosses, and employees were also on the list of usual suspects.

Heck, so were grandmas! 35% of women (and 17% of men) have been hurt by their sweet old grannies.

Speaking the Truth in Love
I’m willing to assume that at least some of the body shaming done by family members and/or close friends wasn’t intended as such, but let this data be a learning lesson to all of us. We need to speak the truth to each other – especially our kids – but we need to speak it in love. Since parents and youth workers have so much influence in the lives of teenagers, our voices need to be the clearest and most frequent ones they hear. If a young person in your life is experiencing body shaming, consider these two tips.

 

  1. Talk about God-given value In our world, value is attached to temporal beauty. So many teens, especially young girls, seek identity and definition through the perfect selfie, in the perfect clothes, with the perfect filter. Help them think more deeply about their self-worth by reminding them that God has assigned value to each of us that supersedes our appearance (see 1 Samuel 16:7). I suggested a similar strategy in our latest article about self-cyberbullying. If we want the truth about ourselves, we must go to God’s Word. God doesn’t just tell the truth, He IS the truth (John 14:6).
  2. Talk about real solutions to problems. No, this isn’t contradictory to point #1, but the reality is, as we honestly study ourselves in the light of God’s Word, we’ll inevitably uncover personal changes that need to be made. Maybe poor eating habits have led to a few extra pounds. Perhaps a lack of regular exercise has led to weakness. Maybe a little more discipline is required in wardrobe selection or personal hygiene. Whatever the case may be, try to lovingly offer up suggestions that are both sustainable (think maintainable) and enjoyable (because it leads to positive transformation). And if you need to make some changes yourself, make sure to do so in order to lead by example.

Our kids hear a lot of voices, a lot of messages. The vast majority of them are untrue, unloving, and unkind. Make sure you know who’s in dialogue with your teen, what’s being said, and what’s being felt. That way, you know how to react with healthy, godly care.

By 137 Comments
Share

David R. Smith

David R. Smith is the author of several books including Christianity... It's Like This and speaks to parents and leaders across the U.S. David is a 15-year youth ministry veteran, now a senior pastor, who specializes in sharing the gospel, and equipping others do the same. David provides free resources to anyone who works with teenagers on his website, DavidRSmith.org David resides with his wife and son in Tampa, Florida.

137 Comments

  1. Jeromesic
    March 21, 2025 at 11:03 am

    alo789in: dang nh?p alo789 – alo 789 dang nh?p

  2. Georgetom
    March 24, 2025 at 12:04 am

    canadapharmacyonline legit: legitimate canadian pharmacies online – pharmacy wholesalers canada

  3. Arthurwef
    March 24, 2025 at 3:55 am

    https://interpharmonline.shop/# canada pharmacy reviews
    canadian pharmacy no scripts

  4. MonteMap
    March 24, 2025 at 5:08 am

    safe canadian pharmacy legitimate canadian pharmacies online canadian drugs online

  5. WillisLutle
    March 24, 2025 at 5:36 am

    https://interpharmonline.com/# cross border pharmacy canada

  6. Arthurwef
    March 24, 2025 at 9:21 am

    http://mexicanpharminter.com/# mexican pharmacy online order
    canadian world pharmacy

  7. Jamesjiz
    March 24, 2025 at 9:29 am

    IndiaMedFast.com: IndiaMedFast – online medicine shopping in india

  8. Georgetom
    March 24, 2025 at 1:06 pm

    mexican drug stores online: mexican pharmacy online store – mexican pharmacy online store

  9. Arthurwef
    March 24, 2025 at 2:55 pm

    https://interpharmonline.shop/# canadian pharmacy online store
    canadian family pharmacy

  10. Arthurwef
    March 24, 2025 at 8:49 pm

    https://mexicanpharminter.shop/# buying from online mexican pharmacy
    reliable canadian pharmacy

  11. Jamesjiz
    March 24, 2025 at 9:25 pm

    Mexican Pharm Inter: buying from online mexican pharmacy – reliable mexican pharmacies

  12. WillisLutle
    March 24, 2025 at 11:32 pm

    http://indiamedfast.com/# india pharmacy without prescription

  13. Arthurwef
    March 25, 2025 at 3:26 am

    https://mexicanpharminter.com/# mexican pharmacy online order
    canadian pharmacy sarasota

  14. Jamesjiz
    March 25, 2025 at 4:52 am

    my canadian pharmacy rx: certified canada pharmacy online – canadian pharmacy victoza

  15. WillisLutle
    March 25, 2025 at 6:13 am

    https://mexicanpharminter.com/# MexicanPharmInter

  16. Howardslutt
    March 25, 2025 at 7:15 am

    canadian online pharmacy: legitimate canadian pharmacies online – buy canadian drugs

  17. Arthurwef
    March 25, 2025 at 10:01 am

    http://interpharmonline.com/# canada drugs
    canadian drugs pharmacy

  18. Jamesjiz
    March 25, 2025 at 12:28 pm

    india pharmacy without prescription: india pharmacy without prescription – online medicine shopping in india

  19. Howardslutt
    March 25, 2025 at 4:33 pm

    canada ed drugs: certified canada pharmacy online – canada pharmacy 24h

  20. Arthurwef
    March 25, 2025 at 4:52 pm

    http://indiamedfast.com/# online medicine shopping in india
    precription drugs from canada

  21. WillisLutle
    March 25, 2025 at 8:00 pm

    http://interpharmonline.com/# canada pharmacy online legit

  22. Jamesjiz
    March 25, 2025 at 8:25 pm

    canadadrugpharmacy com: Online pharmacy USA – canadian pharmacies

  23. Arthurwef
    March 25, 2025 at 11:57 pm

    http://mexicanpharminter.com/# mexican pharmacy online
    my canadian pharmacy rx

  24. Williamben
    March 26, 2025 at 2:02 am

    cialis without a doctor prescription: cialis without a doctor prescription – TadalafilEasyBuy.com

  25. GregoryAnter
    March 26, 2025 at 4:58 am

    TadalafilEasyBuy.com: Tadalafil Easy Buy – TadalafilEasyBuy.com

  26. KennethLus
    March 26, 2025 at 5:08 am

    https://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra jelly kopen

  27. TerryErose
    March 26, 2025 at 7:53 am

    https://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra pillen kopen

  28. Williamben
    March 26, 2025 at 9:09 am

    KamagraKopen.pro: KamagraKopen.pro – KamagraKopen.pro

  29. KennethLus
    March 26, 2025 at 10:56 am

    https://kamagrakopen.pro/# Kamagra Kopen

  30. GregoryAnter
    March 26, 2025 at 10:57 am

    kamagra pillen kopen: kamagra pillen kopen – Kamagra

  31. TerryErose
    March 26, 2025 at 1:47 pm

    https://kamagrakopen.pro/# KamagraKopen.pro

  32. Williamben
    March 26, 2025 at 4:23 pm

    kamagra 100mg kopen: Kamagra Kopen Online – kamagra jelly kopen

  33. KennethLus
    March 26, 2025 at 4:48 pm

    https://generic100mgeasy.com/# Cheap generic Viagra

  34. GregoryAnter
    March 26, 2025 at 4:57 pm

    Kamagra: KamagraKopen.pro – Kamagra

  35. TerryErose
    March 26, 2025 at 7:51 pm

    https://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra kopen nederland

  36. KennethLus
    March 26, 2025 at 11:17 pm

    https://tadalafileasybuy.shop/# Tadalafil Easy Buy

  37. GregoryAnter
    March 26, 2025 at 11:56 pm

    Kamagra Kopen: kamagra gel kopen – kamagra jelly kopen

  38. TerryErose
    March 27, 2025 at 2:45 am

    http://generic100mgeasy.com/# Generic 100mg Easy

  39. Williamben
    March 27, 2025 at 5:51 am

    cheap viagra: Generic100mgEasy – Generic 100mg Easy

  40. GregoryAnter
    March 27, 2025 at 7:52 am

    Kamagra Kopen: Kamagra – Kamagra Kopen Online

  41. Williamben
    March 27, 2025 at 11:15 am

    kamagra pillen kopen: Kamagra Kopen – kamagra pillen kopen

  42. KennethLus
    March 27, 2025 at 1:07 pm

    https://generic100mgeasy.shop/# buy generic 100mg viagra online

  43. GregoryAnter
    March 27, 2025 at 3:04 pm

    Generic 100mg Easy: Generic 100mg Easy – buy generic 100mg viagra online

  44. TerryErose
    March 27, 2025 at 4:13 pm

    http://generic100mgeasy.com/# buy generic 100mg viagra online

  45. Williamben
    March 27, 2025 at 4:40 pm

    Tadalafil Easy Buy: Tadalafil Easy Buy – Tadalafil Easy Buy

  46. KennethLus
    March 27, 2025 at 7:33 pm

    https://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra kopen nederland

  47. Williamben
    March 27, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    kamagra gel kopen: Kamagra Kopen – kamagra 100mg kopen

  48. GregoryAnter
    March 27, 2025 at 10:17 pm

    Generic 100mg Easy: Generic 100mg Easy – buy generic 100mg viagra online

  49. KennethLus
    March 28, 2025 at 1:58 am

    https://kamagrakopen.pro/# Kamagra Kopen Online

  50. Williamben
    March 28, 2025 at 3:28 am

    buy cialis pill: Tadalafil Easy Buy – Tadalafil Easy Buy

  51. TerryErose
    March 28, 2025 at 4:57 am

    https://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra jelly kopen

  52. KennethLus
    March 28, 2025 at 8:12 am

    https://generic100mgeasy.shop/# buy generic 100mg viagra online

  53. TerryErose
    March 28, 2025 at 11:04 am

    https://kamagrakopen.pro/# Kamagra Kopen

  54. Williamben
    March 28, 2025 at 11:12 am

    Tadalafil Easy Buy: Tadalafil Easy Buy – TadalafilEasyBuy.com

  55. GregoryAnter
    March 28, 2025 at 12:09 pm

    kamagra 100mg kopen: kamagra pillen kopen – kamagra 100mg kopen

  56. KennethLus
    March 28, 2025 at 2:17 pm

    https://tadalafileasybuy.com/# Tadalafil Easy Buy

  57. TerryErose
    March 28, 2025 at 5:08 pm

    https://kamagrakopen.pro/# Kamagra

  58. GregoryAnter
    March 28, 2025 at 6:55 pm

    kamagra kopen nederland: Kamagra Kopen – Kamagra Kopen

  59. KennethLus
    March 28, 2025 at 8:24 pm

    https://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra kopen nederland

  60. Williampaics
    March 28, 2025 at 10:44 pm

    pinup 2025 – пин ап казино

  61. Jessedib
    March 29, 2025 at 1:23 am

    пин ап: https://pinupkz.life/

  62. Jamesmig
    March 29, 2025 at 1:47 am

    пин ап казино официальный сайт – пинап казино

  63. Jessedib
    March 29, 2025 at 7:58 am

    pinup 2025: https://pinupkz.life/

  64. Jamesmig
    March 29, 2025 at 8:07 am

    pinup 2025 – пинап казино

  65. Williampaics
    March 29, 2025 at 10:56 am

    пин ап зеркало – пинап казино

  66. Jamesmig
    March 29, 2025 at 2:34 pm

    пин ап – пин ап

  67. Jessedib
    March 29, 2025 at 2:42 pm

    пин ап зеркало: https://pinupkz.life/

  68. Williampaics
    March 29, 2025 at 5:08 pm

    пин ап казино зеркало – пин ап

  69. Jamesmig
    March 29, 2025 at 9:01 pm

    pinup 2025 – пинап казино

  70. Jessedib
    March 29, 2025 at 9:23 pm

    пин ап казино официальный сайт: https://pinupkz.life/

  71. Williampaics
    March 29, 2025 at 11:09 pm

    pinup 2025 – пин ап казино

  72. Jamesmig
    March 30, 2025 at 3:19 am

    пин ап зеркало – пин ап вход

  73. Jessedib
    March 30, 2025 at 3:54 am

    пинап казино: https://pinupkz.life/

  74. Williampaics
    March 30, 2025 at 5:19 am

    pinup 2025 – пин ап

  75. Jamesmig
    March 30, 2025 at 9:52 am

    пин ап казино зеркало – пин ап вход

  76. Jessedib
    March 30, 2025 at 10:49 am

    пин ап казино: https://pinupkz.life/

  77. Williampaics
    March 30, 2025 at 11:45 am

    пин ап казино – пин ап казино зеркало

  78. Jamesmig
    March 30, 2025 at 4:16 pm

    пин ап вход – пин ап казино зеркало

  79. Jessedib
    March 30, 2025 at 5:50 pm

    пин ап вход: https://pinupkz.life/

  80. Williampaics
    March 30, 2025 at 6:14 pm

    пин ап зеркало – пин ап казино официальный сайт

  81. Jamesmig
    March 30, 2025 at 10:42 pm

    пинап казино – пин ап казино официальный сайт

  82. MichaelTwedO
    March 31, 2025 at 2:13 am

    Apotheek online bestellen: Apotheek Max – Beste online drogist

  83. HomerHop
    March 31, 2025 at 5:22 am

    https://apotheekmax.shop/# Online apotheek Nederland zonder recept

  84. DerekUnoto
    March 31, 2025 at 5:26 am

    apotek online recept: apotek pa nett – apotek online recept

  85. LouisCig
    March 31, 2025 at 5:42 am

    https://apotekonlinerecept.com/# Apotek hemleverans recept

  86. MichaelTwedO
    March 31, 2025 at 8:25 am

    Kamagra kaufen: Kamagra Oral Jelly – Kamagra online bestellen

  87. LouisCig
    March 31, 2025 at 10:41 am

    https://apotheekmax.shop/# de online drogist kortingscode

  88. DerekUnoto
    March 31, 2025 at 11:07 am

    apotek online: apotek online recept – apotek pa nett

  89. HomerHop
    March 31, 2025 at 11:23 am

    https://kamagrapotenzmittel.com/# Kamagra Original

  90. MichaelTwedO
    March 31, 2025 at 2:27 pm

    online apotheek: Betrouwbare online apotheek zonder recept – Betrouwbare online apotheek zonder recept

  91. LouisCig
    March 31, 2025 at 3:53 pm

    https://kamagrapotenzmittel.com/# Kamagra online bestellen

  92. DerekUnoto
    March 31, 2025 at 4:39 pm

    Kamagra Oral Jelly kaufen: Kamagra Oral Jelly – Kamagra kaufen ohne Rezept

  93. HomerHop
    March 31, 2025 at 5:23 pm

    https://kamagrapotenzmittel.com/# Kamagra Original

  94. MichaelTwedO
    March 31, 2025 at 8:39 pm

    online apotheek: Betrouwbare online apotheek zonder recept – de online drogist kortingscode

  95. LouisCig
    March 31, 2025 at 8:44 pm

    http://apotekonlinerecept.com/# apotek online recept

  96. DerekUnoto
    March 31, 2025 at 10:48 pm

    Betrouwbare online apotheek zonder recept: Apotheek online bestellen – online apotheek

  97. HomerHop
    April 1, 2025 at 12:27 am

    https://apotheekmax.com/# Online apotheek Nederland zonder recept

  98. LouisCig
    April 1, 2025 at 1:58 am

    http://kamagrapotenzmittel.com/# Kamagra kaufen

  99. MichaelTwedO
    April 1, 2025 at 3:43 am

    apotek pa nett: apotek pa nett – Apoteket online

  100. DerekUnoto
    April 1, 2025 at 5:36 am

    Apotek hemleverans idag: apotek pa nett – Apoteket online

  101. HomerHop
    April 1, 2025 at 8:04 am

    https://apotekonlinerecept.shop/# Apotek hemleverans recept

  102. DerekUnoto
    April 1, 2025 at 12:30 pm

    apotek online recept: Apotek hemleverans idag – apotek online recept

  103. HomerHop
    April 1, 2025 at 3:39 pm

    https://apotekonlinerecept.shop/# apotek online recept

  104. LouisCig
    April 1, 2025 at 5:41 pm

    https://apotekonlinerecept.com/# Apotek hemleverans idag

  105. MichaelTwedO
    April 1, 2025 at 5:49 pm

    Kamagra Original: Kamagra Gel – Kamagra Oral Jelly kaufen

  106. DerekUnoto
    April 1, 2025 at 7:17 pm

    Apotek hemleverans idag: Apotek hemleverans idag – apotek online

  107. LouisCig
    April 1, 2025 at 10:48 pm

    https://apotekonlinerecept.com/# Apotek hemleverans idag

  108. HomerHop
    April 1, 2025 at 11:07 pm

    https://apotheekmax.com/# Online apotheek Nederland zonder recept

  109. MichaelTwedO
    April 2, 2025 at 12:57 am

    apotek pa nett: Apotek hemleverans recept – Apotek hemleverans idag

  110. Malcolmnag
    April 2, 2025 at 1:02 am

    Apotek hemleverans idag apotek online Apoteket online

  111. DerekUnoto
    April 2, 2025 at 2:05 am

    Apotek hemleverans recept: apotek online recept – apotek online

  112. HomerHop
    April 2, 2025 at 7:03 am

    https://kamagrapotenzmittel.shop/# Kamagra kaufen

  113. MichaelTwedO
    April 2, 2025 at 8:30 am

    Kamagra kaufen: Kamagra online bestellen – Kamagra kaufen ohne Rezept

  114. LouisCig
    April 2, 2025 at 9:25 am

    https://apotheekmax.com/# ApotheekMax

  115. DerekUnoto
    April 2, 2025 at 9:26 am

    Kamagra Oral Jelly kaufen: Kamagra kaufen ohne Rezept – Kamagra Oral Jelly kaufen

  116. LouisCig
    April 2, 2025 at 2:51 pm

    http://apotekonlinerecept.com/# Apotek hemleverans recept

  117. HomerHop
    April 2, 2025 at 3:13 pm

    https://apotekonlinerecept.com/# apotek online recept

  118. MichaelTwedO
    April 2, 2025 at 4:06 pm

    Kamagra Oral Jelly kaufen: Kamagra online bestellen – Kamagra Gel

  119. DerekUnoto
    April 2, 2025 at 4:50 pm

    Kamagra Original: kamagra – Kamagra Original

  120. HomerHop
    April 2, 2025 at 11:05 pm

    https://kamagrapotenzmittel.shop/# Kamagra Oral Jelly

  121. MichaelTwedO
    April 2, 2025 at 11:22 pm

    Beste online drogist: Betrouwbare online apotheek zonder recept – de online drogist kortingscode

  122. DerekUnoto
    April 2, 2025 at 11:48 pm

    apotek online: Apotek hemleverans recept – apotek pa nett

  123. ChesterWob
    April 3, 2025 at 5:44 am

    Agb Mexico Pharm: pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa – buying from online mexican pharmacy

  124. Matthewexogs
    April 3, 2025 at 6:02 am

    https://wwwindiapharm.shop/# india online pharmacy

  125. EdwinHug
    April 3, 2025 at 6:55 am

    canadian pharmacy king: go canada pharm – best online canadian pharmacy

  126. Trentswozy
    April 3, 2025 at 7:01 am

    Agb Mexico Pharm: mexican mail order pharmacies – Agb Mexico Pharm

  127. ChesterWob
    April 3, 2025 at 11:00 am

    canadian pharmacy cheap: canadian pharmacies comparison – canada drug pharmacy

  128. EdwinHug
    April 3, 2025 at 12:59 pm

    mail order pharmacy india: pharmacy website india – www india pharm

  129. Trentswozy
    April 3, 2025 at 1:29 pm

    www india pharm: www india pharm – online shopping pharmacy india

  130. ChesterWob
    April 3, 2025 at 4:10 pm

    www india pharm: www india pharm – indian pharmacy

  131. EdwinHug
    April 3, 2025 at 6:55 pm

    cheapest online pharmacy india: www india pharm – india online pharmacy

  132. Matthewexogs
    April 3, 2025 at 7:06 pm

    http://wwwindiapharm.com/# www india pharm

  133. Trentswozy
    April 3, 2025 at 7:49 pm

    adderall canadian pharmacy: go canada pharm – legit canadian online pharmacy

  134. EdwinHug
    April 4, 2025 at 1:34 am

    canadian pharmacy store: canadian pharmacy 24 – northwest pharmacy canada

  135. Matthewexogs
    April 4, 2025 at 2:16 am

    http://agbmexicopharm.com/# Agb Mexico Pharm

  136. ChesterWob
    April 4, 2025 at 2:42 am

    medication from mexico pharmacy: mexico drug stores pharmacies – mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa

  137. Trentswozy
    April 4, 2025 at 3:32 am

    Agb Mexico Pharm: medication from mexico pharmacy – purple pharmacy mexico price list

Reply your comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*