Week 3 "Lesson 3: Grade 11 Stress and Body Image.

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Dealing with Stressful Situations
Stress is the body’s normal physiological response to situations or stimuli perceived as
“dangerous” to the body.Reactions to stress vary greatly.Healthy lifestyle choices have a positive impact
on our ability to cope with stress and to manage day to day activities.Everyone can learn skills to cope
with stress that contribute to optimal mental health.

 Activity #3.1Identify some feelings and biological changes that stress can cause .And you need
to respond to the following question.

1) Situations that make me angry.

a.
b.
c.

2) Situations that make me frustrated.

a.
b.
c.

3) Situations that make me worry.

a.
b.
c.

4) Situations that make me happy.

a.
b.
c.

5) Situations that take allot of time.

a.
b.
c.

6) Situations that take money.

a.
b.
c.
ACTIVITY 3.2 What are the similarities, insights, or perceptions related to the ideas listed.

Positive stressors vs. Negative stressors. Please write your answer inside the box.

Remind students that responses must be appropriate (no sexual references) all responses must be
safe, ethical, and not hurtful to others. Stress can cause powerful feelings, as well as biological
changes in the body.

4  Negative and Positive Stress

A certain level of stress is not always bad. It can lead to optimal performance. To little stress can
lead to low motivation. Excessive stress can hamper performance and perceived abilities. To
much is asked of us in to short of time. Unnecessary obstacles are put in the way of achieving
our goals.

Negative Stress Negative Thinking

Gets in the way of good judgement and fine motor control. Competition seen as a threat.
Negative thinking Damaging self confidence. Narrowing attention Mental energy Negative
Thinking A person who thinks positively exhibits a higher level of skill. They look at a new
situation as a challenge instead of an obstacle. Exercise is used as a primary stress-
management strategy. Regular exercise can remove by-products of he stress response or help
release emotions. Bouts of physical activity allow muscles to release their stored energy and to
return to resting state, which reduces tension. The endorphin hormone is released as a result
of exercising, which is known to affect mood and promote a sense of elation of joy.

7  Body Image Linked to self-esteem and self concept.

Based mainly on a persons past experiences. These can be positive (athletic performance)These
can be negative (abuse or bullying)Boys and girls may be concerned about body image. One
should not assume that a teenager who is heavier will have negative body image. One should
not assume that a teenager who is slim will be positive with their body image. Body image for
boys and girls can be a problem no matter what their body looks like. They could have the most
athletic body in the school, and yet feel gross or fat. It is based on past experiences that make a
person concerned about their body. It has nothing to do with their muscle, weight, or height.

8  What is Body Image? Formed at an early age. Usually influenced by:

Parents, caregivers, peers, and life experiences. One must remember, every single body is
different because of genetics which influence:Facial features, body shape, height, and weight. If
every person ate the same thing and exercised the same, we would all look different. What is
the ideal body weight or healthy body? We often think of body image in terms of physical
appearance, attractiveness, and beauty. Our body image relates to how we feel about ourselves
and what we think our bodies look like to others. What is the ideal body weight and healthy
body? This is the weight that allows us to feel strong and energetic and lets us lead a healthy
lifestyle.

 What is the Ideal Body Weight?

This is the weight that allows us to feel strong and energetic and lets us lead a healthy life.
Someone with a healthy body has the energy to:Spend time with friends Participate in sports
Concentrate on school or work.

Activity #3. Respond to a question that is assigned to you.

 How do I know what is a healthy weight for me?

 What diet really works? What causes eating disorders?
 How can I help my friend who might have an eating disorder?

11  Stats on Eating Disorders in Canada

A recent study showed that 27% of Ontario girls aged are engaged in disordered food and
weight behaviour.Eating disorders are now the third most chronic illness in adolescent
girls.Almost one in every two girls and almost one in every five boys in grade 10 either was on a
diet or wanted to lost weight.WHY?

12  Stats con’tApproximately 3% of women will be affected by and eating disorder during their
lifetime.Factors believed to contribute to eating disorders are:Biological and personal
factorsSocieties image of the perfect bodyHere are two examples of what advertising says is the
perfect bodies.Men and Women

13  How Big is the Body Image Problem?

Increases the risk for extreme body/weight control behaviours.Increased preoccupation with
appearance and body dissatisfaction.Increased risk for engaging in dangerous practices to
control weight and size.Can lead to more harmful behaviours and even death.Increased risk for
developing disordered eating or and eating disorder.All of this can lead to extreme dieting
(soup diet) or extreme exercise (3 hours a day or spending the whole day in the gym).

14  Positive and Negative Body Image

People with +’ve body image exhibit:Self-confidence, energy, vitality and positive self-
appraisal.Feelings of attractiveness and beauty.Trust and respect for their bodies.Freedom of
expression with their bodies, not dependent on weight.People with negative body image
describe:Dissatisfaction with their physical appearance.Belief that their appearance is being
scrutinized and evaluated by others.Excessive emphasis on physical appearance in how they
evaluate themselves.Distressing preoccupation with their bodies.Feelings of shame and/or
embarrassment

15  Positive Body ImageWe have a +’ve body image when we have a realistic perception of our
bodies.Healthy bodies come in many shapes and sizes, meaning physical appearance means
little about character or value.A healthy body means that you keep our assessment of your
body separate from your sense of self-esteem.
16  Negative Body Image BDD Muscle Dysmorphia (bigorexia)
Over-preoccupation with an “imagined” physical defect in appearance.Usually nose, skin, or
hair.Anxiety and/or depressionPlastic surgery to “fix” the problem may occur.Muscle
Dysmorphia (bigorexia)Over-preoccupation with the perception or feeling that one’s muscles
are too small or too weak.Spend unrealistic amounts of time working out in the gym, and yet
they don’t feel “good enough”Negative body image can cause more serious disorders such as
body dysmorphic disorder and muscle dysmorphia.Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)This is the
over preoccupation with an “imagined” physical defect in appearance (that is, an individual
thinks there is a problem with an aspect of his or her body that others don’t see. Most common
focus is on the nose, skin, or hair. This causes stress for the individuals who have this problem,
as well as family and friends around them. People who have this issue, have a feeling of anxiety
or fall into a state of depression plus they may avoid social situations.Muscle Dysmorphia
(bigorexia)Preoccupation that ones’ muscles are to small or to weak. In an attempt to avoid this
self-perception, individuals with this disorder often spend unrealistic amounts of time working
out in the gym.Both disorders are treatable with support from professionals.

17  Factors that Affect Body Image

Standards set by society and the culture that surrounds us.Comments from family, friends, and
others about our bodies, their bodies, and other people’s bodies.Self-esteem (view our bodies
and evaluate ourselves)History of abuse, teasing, life changes, and physical changes that may
be a result of puberty, medical problems, surgery or sport injuries.Images of idealized versus
normal bodies.-

18  Eating DisordersNegative body image and body dissatisfaction increase risk.Anorexia or

bulimia nervosaPerceive themselves as being larger than they actually are.Increase in dieting
behavior.Depression, decreased self-confidence, increased feelings of anxiety, feelings of
unattractiveness and persistent concern about weight.People with negative body image
may:Engage in excessive body checking.Camouflage their size and shape with loose and bulky
clothing.Avoid social situations that trigger physical self-consciousness.Avoid exposing their
bodies.Experiencing problems with body image and body dissatisfaction place individuals at
risk for the development of an eating disorder.

19  Causes of Eating Disorders

Direct Risk FactorIndirect Risk FactorBiological FactorGender, Metabolism, Appetite Regulation,
Body WeightTemperament, Impulsivity, GenderPsychological FactorsPoor body image, Eating
attitudes, weight beliefs, over concern of appearancePoor self image, Inadequate coping
mechanisms, Unresolved conflicts, deficits, Identity problemsDevelopmental FactorsPeople
close to you have a disorder, trauma affecting bodily experience.Overprotection, Neglect, Felt
rejection and criticismSocial FactorsFamily attitude to eating, weight, Peer group attitude, Bodily
insults and teasing.Family dysfunction, Bad peer experiences, values assigned to gender, poor
support network.This is a table that lists the possible risk factors for the development of eating
disorders.
20  How do Eating and Body Image Go Together?
Eating disorders are internal conflicts about food and/or body size and shape.Healthy eating
behaviours are associated with feeling confident about body shape and size.Disordered eating
behaviours area associated with a preoccupation with appearance and an attempt to change
body size through a focus on diets.

21  Symptoms of Eating Disorders

Symptoms Eating DisordersAnorexiaBulimiaBinge Eating DisorderResistance to maintaining
body weight or above minimal weight.Recurrent episodes of binge eating, accompanied by
inappropriate compensatory behaviour.Binge eating without vomiting, exercise or
laxatives.Intense fear of becoming fat or gaining weight.Self induced vomiting, use of laxatives,
or excessive exerciseEat to fill a void. Individuals are usually obese.Note, that eating disorders
often do not fall neatly into these categories and may take a variety of forms, from mild to
severe. Treatment for eating disorders is important at any level of severity to reduce the risk of
short-term and long-term problems.

22  How can Body Image Affect Personal Health?

You will need a piece of paper for this following activity.Respond to the following
questions:How can body image affect personal health?To help you, look at the handout “Eating
Issues and Body Image Continuum”Where do you fit on the continuum? Why?Hand out the
“Eating Issues and Body Image Continuum”.

Activity # 5 Answer one of the following questions in your journal.

What have you learned today? Is there a question that still lingers in your mind that you need
answered?