ADÖLESAN DÖNEMDE BEDEN ALGISI VE SOSYO-KÜLTÜREL ETKENLER

Adolescence is one of the most studied subjects in terms of body image. Negative body image, which also has physical and mental health consequences, is an important public health problem for adolescents. Research showed that both genders are more dissatisfied with physical appearance. The change in their appearance with physical change in the transition from childhood to adulthood causes the body image to be more negative, especially in adolescent girls. When girls follow unhealthy diets to be thin, they develop an eating disorder or obesity. Boys, on the other hand, use steroids that can be dangerous in terms of health because they want to be muscular. In this period, body weight in girls and height in boys play an important role in body image. Incorrect body image can cause eating disorders, so adolescents should be encouraged to participate in physical activity to eliminate weight concerns. Studies show that fat talks with peers increase body dissatisfaction and desire to diet, and the opinions of peers are more important than parents. While parents associate their children's overweight with being healthy, peers' attitude can be teasing or bullying. It is pointed out that body appreciation, the development of positive body image and intervention programs that can improve awareness about the bodies of others can change body image in a positive way. The present article discusses body image and related factors in adolescence. It aims to draw attention to the fragility of adolescence by emphasizing the interventions made for the formation of positive body image at an early age and combining the recommendations of the studies.