How many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror? Did you know that at age 13 about 53% of girls are unhappy with their body? Or that that percentage increases to about 78% by the time they’re 17?

Why are girls constantly judging themselves? Self Esteem.

Self-esteem is defined as how much people value themselves, the pride they feel in themselves, and how worthwhile they feel.

Self-esteem is the most important thing that relates to body image. Feeling good about yourself will help you be in more control of your life whether its to make friends easily or just live a happy life.

So why is the percentage so high for girls who are unhappy with their body at thirteen? Because as kids develop into teens, they care more about how others see them rather than how comfortable they are with themselves.

Also they are faced with the girls they see on television, movies, or magazines. Not only are actresses and models skinny and always look their best to the public, but it seems as though if one has something they don’t like about their bodies, they get surgery and change it to look “perfect.”

In school, girls hear hurtful comments whether its friends commenting on another girl’s appearance or hearing what others say about them.  Surprisingly, parents also contribute to low self-esteem. Although it seems that parents’ opinions don’t matter to teens, it means a lot if parents always criticize their children.

Many think that in order to get a better body image they need to change their appearance or behavior. In reality, all you need is to change the way you see your body and how you feel about yourself.

A random sampling of VHS females revealed that almost all of them would change something. Freshman Bianca Quattrocchi says she would like to change her eye color. Sophomore Caitlin Barnes says she would change her hair color. Teacher Angela Salisbury says she would change her height; she would like to be shorter. VHS junior Kristen Maida claims other girls do not influence her but she would like to be more athletic.

Because there are so many things that you may not like about yourself that you cannot change – your height, your shoe size, how big your bones are – you have to be happy with yourself; your body is your own.

But if the things you don’t like about yourself are easily fixable, start setting goals. By achieving these goals, it shows that you can feel good about yourself and it’s a good way to raise your self-esteem. For example if you think your body weight is unhealthy then check with a doctor to see if there are things you can do to become healthy.

Maybe the only thing putting you down is the comments you tell yourself. For example, instead of looking at other girls and saying “wow I wish I had her _____,” maybe look at yourself and list whatever you love about yourself.