• Vivek Kumar Shahi
• Dr. Neena Kohli
• Shreshtha Yadav

Every individual face pressure from different sociocultural sources to make their body look better. Sociocultural pressures for thinness and muscularity plays an effective role in the development of body image. Failure to comply with these pressures consequently causes individuals to be anxious, depressed and unhappy, harms the physical, social and psychological health of individuals. Family, peer and media are the major sources of pressure. Among all of them family exerts the maximum pressure followed by media and peer, and this leads to the internalization of body ideals which are difficult to achieve. In case of gender, it was found that female participants perceived more pressure than their male counterparts. They perceive family pressure even if they have normal BMI. This shows how much physical appearance is important for females in the Indian society. Their appearance is more important than their health. Sometimes thinness is preferred over good health. Thus, if a woman pays extreme attention to physical appearance this may result in negative influence on their body image and body value. Females who have faith in the stereotypical gender specific role for females are less likely to plunge into the deception of beauty and physical appearance. Furthermore, advertisements which mostly focus on portraying females with a specific appearance makes the situation worse. They just use the stereotypes of female beauty to sell their products but the message of these advertisement is completely far from the reality. Falling into the trap of these unrealistic messages causes many social and psychological problems. It is also noted that physical appearance of males is also stereotyped. They need to look muscular and toned. Males will be criticized if he is thin no matter how healthy he is or not. But as a male one should look strong enough to rectify the stereotypes of male body image. In the last few decades, Popular media has broadcasted almost unachievable body images as ideals for men and women. The impossibility of these images is clearly seen in the omnipresence of six pack hunk look for male and size zero for female models and celebrities in media. This often results in extreme processes such as an unhealthy diet plan, excessive exercise, use of steroids or even use of drugs or plastic surgery to attain stereotypical body images.

Sociocultural Pressure, Body Ideals Internalization, Body Mass Index

"Sociocultural Pressure and Body Image Internalization across Gender and BMI Categories among Indian University Students", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 3, page no.736-753, March-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1903N97.pdf

"Sociocultural Pressure and Body Image Internalization across Gender and BMI Categories among Indian University Students", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 3, page no. pp736-753, March-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1903N97.pdf