Body image is a preoccupation for many young people.
Maintaining a healthy body image involves more than a healthy body
weight (with adequate diet and physical activity), and can be
affected by family, friends and other relationships. Concerns
about body image may take the form of eating too little, eating too
much, exercising excessively and taking medications, even though
the person may have a healthy weight. The person may feel in
control of their eating or guilty about losing control over their
eating. The disturbance in eating can manifest as lack of
periods, heart problems, and skin and hair changes. Eating
disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and body
dysmorphic disorder. Although the person often denies the
issue, providing help early could be life-saving.