Body Image and Depression

Body image has an important impact on how you feel about aging and self-esteem. There is a direct connection between body image and self-esteem: they reinforce each other. If you have a positive self-image, you will not only feel better about yourself, but also pay more attention to what is happening to your body and your appearance.

In the past, men were concerned about how their bodies functioned, and women were concerned about how they looked. Today, both sexes are concerned about both their looks and their bodies.

Remember, both the look and the body will change no matter what: they will not survive ravages of time and decades of changes despite all your efforts.

Your waist size: Measure your waist circumference (between your rib cage and above your belly button). A waistline of 35 inches or more for most women, and a waistline of 40 inches or more for most men indicate an increased health risk for developing chronic diseases and disorders.

Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on your weight and height: BMI is determined by the formula: BMI = (body weight in pounds) divided by (body height in inches x body height in inches) multiplied by (703).

To illustrate, if you are 5’11” tall and you weigh 165 pounds, your BMI will be: (165/71x71) x 703 = 23

The BMI numbers have the following implications:

Any BMI that falls between 19 and 24.9 is considered ideal and healthy.

Any BMI that is below 18.5 is considered underweight.

Any BMI that ranges from 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight.

Any BMI that is above 30 is considered obese.

Do not step on the scale too often (such as daily): once a week or even once every two weeks is adequate.

One of the reasons why you should exercise regularly is to enhance your body image so as to avoid negative emotions regarding your body image, often instrumental in triggering a depression. In addition better blood circulation activates your brain cells to have better connection between brain cells. The bottom line: your perceptions of your own body image  are all in your mind.

Get the wisdom to see things as they are, and not as they are supposed to be, or  what you wish they were.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau