New Delhi: Fortis Healthcare conducted a survey among 1244 women (between the ages of 15 to 65) across 20 cities (including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Mohali, etc.) in order to gain an insight into the attitudes and perceptions of women towards the concept of body image, as well as the impact that body shaming has on their psychological well-being and at times leading to stress.

The Key Findings of the survey are:

90% women recognized that body shaming is a common behavior
84% participants reported that women tend to experience more body shaming as compared to men
47.5% women reported having experienced body shaming at their school or work place
32.5% women reported that their friends often tend to make negative comments about the way they look, be it in terms of their body weight, body shape, skin tone, hair, etc.
76% women felt that the media portrayals of beauty contribute towards promoting the prevalence of body shaming
90% women believed that films and television shows often do tend to make fun of people who do not conform to the standard norms and expectations
89% women reported feeling uncomfortable about their own selves when they read comments about other people’s appearances on social media platforms
28% women reportedly find it difficult to stand up for themselves when someone criticizes their physical appearance
31% participants reported that they sometimes don’t feel like facing the world because of what people would say about their physical appearance
66% women believed that it is important to look good in order to feel confident
62% women reported having felt anxious and nervous when people have commented on their looks and physical appearance
67% women also reported feeling angry because of body shaming
19% women reported feeling embarrassed about the way they look
46% women admitted having passed negative remarks or comments about people’s appearances without their knowledge
95% women believed that most people do not tend to realize that they indulge in body shaming
97% women believed that the issue of body shaming needs to be addressed in schools

Dr. Samir Parikh, Director, Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare said, “In the contemporary world, our perception of physical appearances tends to be significantly influenced by a multitude of factors, including the inevitable role played by the media, peer influences, as well as societal factors. Given such a context, it can be evidently understood how commonly many of us might experience a sense of dissatisfaction with our body image. And more so, it also creates a platform which encourages others to be able to judge or comment on a particular person’s body shape or size. Body shaming includes acts of sending provocative insults, and harassing others based on their inability to match up to the expectations related to stereotypical physical appearances, which can be in person, but is also becoming increasing prevalent through the internet.”