Tendencies and perspectives on body image in Lithuania

Abstract

The appearance of the human body and its image in Lithuanian society are currently one of the most relevant health topics. In the media and on the Internet, a lot of attention is paid to the appearance of the human body and the image of the person, certain body appearance standards prevail, the non-compliance of which can have a negative impact on a person's physical and mental health and his social life. Individuals and society perceive and evaluate body image based on shape, weight, girth measurements, other characteristics of physical body appearance and their shortcomings. Lithuanian nutritionists note that there is still a stigma in society that obesity is not a disease but a person's neglect, which is why people with obesity rarely talk openly about the difficulties they fear. The slender body is desirable in Lithuania. However, in contrast to the negative influence of the media on the formation of body image, positive initiatives by formal institutions, influencers, and media are also taking place.