Statistics on Body Image, Self Esteem & Parental Influence
* More than 90 percent of girls – 15 to 17 years – want to change at least one aspect of their physical appearance, with body weight ranking the highest. (Source)
* Girls’ self-esteem peaks when they are 9 years old. (McGraw, Carol, “Media, hormones, peer pressure do a number on girls’ confidence”, The News-Sentinel, Mon, Jul. 31, 2006)
* 80% of children who are 10 years old are afraid of being fat. (Source)
* 9 million teens in America below 15 years are obese, that’s three times more than in 1980. (Source)
* Obese boys and girls have significantly lower self-esteem than their non-obese peers. (Source)
* Up to 12% of teen boys are using unproven supplements and/or steroids. (Source)
* Nearly a quarter of girls age 15-17 would consider undergoing plastic surgery. (Source)
*13 percent of girls age 15-17 acknowledge having an eating disorder. (Source)
* 7 in 10 girls believe they are not good enough or do not measure up in some way including their looks, performance in school and relationships. (Source)
*80% of 10-year-old girls have dieted. 90% of high school junior and senior women diet regularly. Young girls are more afraid of becoming fat than they are of nuclear war, cancer, or losing their parents. (Source)
* The top wish among all girls is for their parents to communicate better with them which includes, more frequent and more open conversations, as well as discussions about what is happening in their own lives. (Source)
About Stephanie J. Armstrong
Stephanie is the creator and founder of the Heart of Leadership, a San Diego-based movement to inspire and empower young women. An international speaker, facilitator, and coach, Stephanie has worked with over 55,000 middle and high school students through her affiliation with TEEN TRUTH LIVE and her workshops and classes for women and teens in San Diego County.8 Comments for this entry
Geoffrey Falconer
Hey
This is great information! Thanks a bunch and it was unfortunately shocking.
Hannah
quite sad facts, but really helpful. i’m writing a research paper and i was wondering… where did u get these facts?
Stephanie J. Armstrong
Hi, Hannah!
The sources are all noted above after each fact. Click on the links marked: (Source).
Good luck with your paper,
Stephanie
Becca
These stats were disturbing, but would have been extremely helpful for a paper I am writing if you had the sources! Where did you get these stats??
Thanks!
Stephanie J. Armstrong
Hi, Becca ~
Yes, I agree. The sources for each statistic is hyperlinked next to the stat. Click on (Source).
Good luck with your paper!
Stephanie
Chris Vassel
I would love to see the sources for these statistics. They would be invaluable in my research. Thank you!
Jordan
I would like to know more about the older generations, not just teens and adolescents
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