BODY IMAGE

Without dramatic intervention, we can’t change what we look like – but we can learn to accept it…

How often have you heard people claim that they’re too fat or too short, or they want a smaller nose or bigger muscles? Having a negative body image and feeling self-conscious about the way you look is felt by everyone at some point. But don’t be hard on yourself – we are all different and that’s great.

Perfect models and ripped footballers appear on TV, social media and in the newspapers, but most have armies of people to fix their hair and make-up, and airbrush their Instagram snaps. And when it comes to professional sports people, they spend far longer in the gym working out than most people can manage – it’s their job, after all.

It’s tempting to compare yourself and feel inadequate, but trying to live up to an illusion of perfection is dangerous and unattainable. Body confidence is all about accepting yourself for who you are. OK, you might not look like a supermodel or a Premier League footballer – but you’re beautiful in your own way. Those who are body confident always live by these rules:

■ They never compare themselves to others.

■ They focus their effort on their positive attributes, rather than the negatives.

■ They focus on what their bodies can do and are proud of what they can achieve.

■ They learn how to dress to enhance their best parts.

WEIGHT & BMI

Scales can’t tell you what the right weight is for your height; your BMI (body mass index) will give you a far better indication of whether you’re under or over-weight. Here’s how to work it out:

Divide your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in metres), then divide the answer by your height again to get your BMI.

For example:

62kg divided by 1.7m = 36.47 divided by 1.7m = 21.45.

BMI categories vary depending on your age and sex, so go to www.tinyurl. com/c4mt9h to find out what BMI is healthy for you.

NEED HELP WITH AN EATING DISORDER?

Speak to the support group Beat at www.b-eat.co.uk, your GP or Student Services in confidence. Look out for the telltale signs in your friends or house mates – if you think they have a problem, seek advice.