Body image anxiety is rapidly increasing among young people in india and is emerging as a serious but under-recognized mental health issue.
This concern affects not only overweight or obese youth but also those who are underweight.
A recent study by All india Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) highlights the psychological burden linked to body structure at both extremes of body weight.
Key Findings of the AIIMS-ICMR Study
The research was published in the Journal of education and health Promotion.
It included 1,071 young adults aged 18–30 years who visited the AIIMS outpatient department.
49% of obese youth and 47% of underweight youth reported moderate to severe body image anxiety.
Among normal-weight or slightly overweight youth, this figure was lower, at around 36%.
Of the total participants:
25% were obese
11% were underweight
Most participants were students and belonged to the middle-class income group.
Underweight youth were almost twice as likely to experience body image anxiety compared to normal-weight individuals.
Obese youth were nearly three times more likely to suffer from body image anxiety.
Weight Management Goes Beyond Diet and Exercise
Experts involved in the study emphasize that weight-related problems cannot be addressed only through diet plans or physical activity.
Mental and emotional health play a crucial role in successful weight management.
Many young people begin lifestyle or weight-loss programs enthusiastically, but drop out due to:
Academic pressure
Body image-related stress
Emotional exhaustion
Ignoring psychological factors often leads to incomplete or failed weight-management efforts.
Different Weights, Different Psychological Stress
Obese youth commonly reported low self-confidence and self-doubt.
Underweight youth more frequently experienced stress, loneliness, and embarrassment.
Overall findings showed that:
More than half of the youth are constantly conscious of their weight.
One in three reports reduced self-confidence
One in four feels judged by society
Social stigma, taunts, and unrealistic beauty standards are intensifying mental pressure.
Researchers warn that public health policies focus heavily on obesity, while the mental health needs of underweight youth remain largely ignored.
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