What does current research into body image reveal?
The more refined research is showing the impact of women’s perceived body image — their ideas of what other people think of them — rather than what other people really think of them. There’s a subtle difference there, like, for instance, with a husband and wife. The husband will say, “I think you’re fine,” but if the woman’s perception is that he really doesn’t mean that, then that takes a toll on her. He can be saying until he’s blue in the face, “I don’t have any trouble with how you’re shaped and what you look like,” but her perception is what is the most powerful.
