Body Image

Body image is how you perceive, think, and feel about your physical appearance. It can be positive, neutral, or negative and can strongly affect wellbeing.

Definition

Body image includes your mental picture of your body and the attitudes and emotions attached to it. Negative body image is linked to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. It is shaped by culture, media, and experience, and can improve with support. Related screening helps clarify risk.

What it can feel like

  • Preoccupation with perceived flaws.
  • Frequent body-checking or avoidance of mirrors.
  • Comparing your appearance to others.
  • Mood strongly affected by how you feel about your body.

Related screening tests on LuriaLab

Related glossary terms

Domande frequenti

Is negative body image a disorder?

Not on its own. But persistent negative body image can contribute to eating disorders and low mood, so support can be valuable.

Can body image improve?

Yes. Body image can improve with self-compassion practices, therapy, and reducing harmful comparisons.

Sources

  • Cash TF. Body image research
  • NICE — eating disorders guidance

Last reviewed: 2026-07-02. Screening tools on LuriaLab are for education only and do not provide a diagnosis.