[Page 3246]Western cultures are blamed for placing extreme value on physical appearance, particularly on body shape and weight. Research has long documented the powerful role that sociocultural influences have on the development and persistence of a negative body image. This negative evaluation of and discontent about one’s body has been consistently linked with a range of body change–related behaviors, such as dieting, purging, overexercising, and ingesting muscle-building substances and anabolic-androgenic steroids, which are behind the development of several mental health disorders, including anorexia nervosa and muscle dysmorphia (or reverse anorexia). The term sociocultural indicates environmental factors that include the contextual experiences people encounter on a daily basis. These have a meaningful impact on how individuals evaluate themselves physically (body image) and modify their thoughts regarding ...