When did you start being concerned about your body?

probably when I was in middle school, I honestly didn't really care what other people though of me but the bullying got bad at around that age. Now I realize that my flaws are not actually that bad and that most people in school thought of me as stuck up and "perfect" because I was a loner so they were trying to find things wrong with me.

media had nothing to do with it, I don't care that there are prettier people in the world as long as I am not harassed for not being perfect.

It all started in 4th grade, even though I've always seemed to wonder before that. My friends and family would tell me how skinny I am. It worried me because before that, I was happy I wasn't gaining weight, but my families teasing and tauntings made me realize I'm a stick. I am so skinny. It's hard for me to gain weight! I eat and eat but all it does is go to my stomach. People would look at me in public and assume I'm anorexic or something, I'm really not. I'm 12, almost 13 soon, and I'm still the same. I weigh 85.6 pounds, which it underweight. But I've been underweight my whole life so it's no surprise. I've learned to expect myself now; because I got a new haircut, I'm doing better in school, I made new friends, changed my style, and I'm even joining yoga soon so it will keep me fit and help my build muscle without being big and bulky, then I won't be as skinny anymore! (:

I think the media has affected young kids today that, if you wear ugly clothes or something, it means you're ugly and you're a loser. Or, that you need to wear makeup to be beautiful, I'm not saying makeup is bad, but 10 year olds are already getting into makeup which I personally think, is too young. Or if you have a boyfriend/girlfriend it means you're beautiful and if you're single it just means you can't get anyone, because kids in 2nd grade are already dating when they don't even understand what love is, they say "I Love You." to each other right away. I don't even date like the girls my age do, I'm waiting for highschool, when my future boyfriend can drive xD

Anyways, people should just learn to be themselves, except themselves, and make friends outside of your own "group". (:

:D

Not my body specifically, I'm fine with that. It's my face/acne that is the source of my insecurity. I realized that it sucked...probably a few months ago. I'm 15 now. And the media doesn't really affect me that much. I'm aware people pay money to look like that. Plus, why would the TV people hire teens who didn't have one noticeable flaw? I know it affects more people than it should though. And I really fear for the kids right now. I've only lived one full decade so far, but things have changed so much in the past few years. I'm nervous for the little kids, they have hell to deal with.

Edit: I mean, when I was eleven, Hannah freaking Montana was my idol. Who're girls idols now? Ke$ha and LMFAO? *grabs cold compress and puts it to forehead*

don't remember not being aware that physically i was different. from the first year i was alive onward there has always been something that has been commented on as not being "right" or "pretty". i was a bit of a rough and tumble little girl who had little care about my outward looks. clothes were to keep you from getting cold, shoes were annoying, and my hair was sheared because it was curly and who has time to mess with that. i was often mistaken for a boy even when wearing a pink frilly dress. so feeling feminine is not something i am used to in any way. pretty or beautiful were never words used to describe me though i have the regular features that in of themselves are nothing special and are in the right places.

i have never met anyone who i thought was physically ugly. i rarely take in someone's appearance as anything more than the shell that holds their soul. the heart of the person is what i am more interested in. physical beauty fades and is easily ruined but a soul that shines brightly never can be.

Never, really. I'm a 14 year old girl so i guess that's not normal, ha. I don't think I'm fat, and I think I'm good looking but I don't act conceited. The media doesn't change how I look at myself, because I know they photoshop the hell out of magazine covers. It's sad how many girls think they have to look that perfect. Have you ever seen Kim kardashian without makeup? Yeesh. And she had plastic surgery, so she's obviously not a good example of natural beauty.

Never, really. I have one physical defect I do not like at all, and I remember not liking it since it happened (I was about 5 or 6). Media doesn't impact beauty - don't watch it - I don't know anybody who became self-concious based on television. Quit blaming society, it's the easy judgement.

@Ms. Positively Indecisive: The only difference between Miley Cyrus and Ke$ha in terms of role models is that Ke$ha is willing to embrace her 'flaws'.

I started to think of my body when a boy in 6th grade pointed it my flaws. It made me really sad and ever since then I can't live that one flaw down. The media are wrong, the media make it look as though we need perfect skin and everything. We don't, we are beautiful the way we are.

I was concerned about my bigger than 'average' nose in high school as some people would point it out. I never cared about what I looked like before high school and I don't really care at the moment as I've somehow grown to live with it haha. Although I was a healthy weight in high school as i'm quite naturally thin so I never bothered with diets. I think I maintained it with gym class too :P

When I started puberty, I was wondering I it was normal. And everyone is always pointing out how skinny I am:(

The media does not affect me because I have been tought that you don't have to be perfect like the people in commercials.

I started thinking stuff like that in 7th grade. I would (And still do) compare myself to other people. And when I look in magazines I do the same thing. The media has a huge effect on the kids now days, because it makes them think they are not as pretty as the models who are in them, there for they they will buy more of their products that are advertized inside the magazine.