To the Editor:

Body shaming is a very big and important problem in our world. It is important because many girls deal with it. Body shaming has caused girls to look at themselves in a negative way.

Body shaming can really hurt and affect someone's life in a major way.  People with a negative body image see themselves as a distorted image.

Personally, I know how it feels because people have pointed out little things I don’t like about myself. No matter how little of a problem it is, it still hurts. Body image includes how you perceive your appearance when you look in the mirror, how you feel about your body.

You may have caused someone an eating disorder; let me explain. According to safeteens.org, people with a negative body image are more likely to have an eating disorder, depression, or  low self-esteem.

Personally, I wanted to change myself so other people would like me. But I learned that you shouldn’t change yourself for anyone. People with a positive body image see themselves as they are and they appreciate their natural body and value its uniqueness.

Body shaming affects people with all body shapes and sizes. It is not fine to call someone anorexic who eats plenty but can’t bulk up.

If you need help to get a positive body image here are a couple of suggestions from the National Eating Disorders Association: Appreciate all that your body can do, and keep a top-10 list of things you love about yourself. Something that might also help is that you can surround yourself with positive people.

Some people may say they want the people they are body shaming to be healthy and they want to help them. It’s nice you are trying to help but you are causing more harm than help. I have found that compliments make people happy. I don’t know about you but I’d rather make people happy then sad.

You shouldn’t try to change the way people look; let them be who they are. Why can’t we just love everyone for who they are? I hope, instead of hurting people and judging them, you try to make people happy.

Arisha Kasam

Farnsworth Middle School