Young people wanted to share their views on body image
Do you respect your body? Do you think you are beautiful even if you don鈥檛 look like the people on social media? Researchers are looking for young people aged 15鈥�25 to share their thoughts about their body image. Your answers will help strengthen research into positive body image.
How can we support young people to feel more appreciative of their bodies?
This is a question that researchers at the Danish National Institute of Public Health aim to answer. To do so, they are currently seeking young individuals aged 15–25 to participate in a survey. The data collected will contribute to developing improved measurement tools for studying body appreciation in Denmark.
“We know from previous studies that around 10% of boys and 20% of girls in Danish high schools report low or very low body satisfaction. It’s essential to explore how we can help young people develop a more positive view of their bodies. However, we currently lack tools to measure young people’s positive body image in a Danish setting, which is why we’re asking for their help now,” explains Professor Lau Caspar Thygesen.
Research on body image has traditionally focused on negative aspects, such as dissatisfaction, criticism and body shame. However, there is growing interest in positive body image—a relatively new research area in Denmark. This field emphasizes accepting and respecting one’s body while rejecting societal beauty standards as the sole definition of attractiveness.
Researchers are now shifting their focus to the positive aspects of body image, investigating what promotes body appreciation and the impact it has.
“Although there is still much to learn about body appreciation, particularly in a Danish context, studies suggest that high body appreciation is linked to greater life satisfaction, higher self-esteem, and a reduced risk of eating disorders and excessive perfectionism. This makes it an important area to explore in Denmark,” says Professor Lau Caspar Thygesen.
Testing a Survey
The young participants will help test an internationally recognized survey designed to measure body appreciation. Developed in the United States, the survey is already used in several countries but must now be validated for use in Denmark.
“We know cultural differences influence how young people perceive their bodies. That’s why it’s crucial to ensure that the survey measures the same factors in Denmark as it does in the U.S.,” explains Research Assistant Mattias Højgaard Toftholm.
The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete and includes questions such as: How do you feel about your body? Are you comfortable in it? Do you pay attention to its needs?
“These questions are not just about appearance but also about appreciating your body and feeling good in it. The survey also explores self-esteem and mental health,” adds Mattias Højgaard Toftholm.
A Nuanced Understanding
According to Professor Lau Caspar Thygesen, body appreciation doesn’t mean loving everything about your body but rather feeling a general sense of acceptance and respect for it.
“Positive and negative body images aren’t necessarily two ends of the same scale. For example, you might feel dissatisfied with your body on certain days but still maintain an overall positive body appreciation. This nuanced understanding is what we aim to explore further in Denmark. If we can identify what promotes a positive body image, we might better support young people in feeling good about themselves.”
If you know someone aged 15–25 who might be interested in participating in the survey, feel free to share the survey with them.
The survey is funded by the Centre for Childhood Health.
Contact Information: Professor Lau Caspar Thygesen Email: lct@sdu.dk | Phone: +45 6550 7771; Research Assistant Mattias Højgaard Toftholm Email: math@sdu.dk | Phone: +45 6550 3901. National Institute of Public Health, 糖果派对