“But I am fat”: The experiences of weight dissatisfaction in Indian adolescent girls and young women

This study explores experiences of weight dissatisfaction in ten Indian adolescent girls and young women. The research delves into factors recognized by them as contributing to their sense of weight dissatisfaction, its perceived implications and desired supports. The findings revealed weight dissatisfaction to play an important role in shaping these adolescents' and young women's sense of self. The participants identified messages from parents, peers and the media, as creating pressure to lose weight and believed that reducing weight would lead to better life opportunities and greater acceptance from others. Although participants reported feeling several negative emotions in relation to their bodies, support from mental health professionals such as counselors was not desired. Instead, support from family and friends, was considered more important. The findings are discussed in relation to feminist perspectives on body dissatisfaction and situated within the context of recent changes that have occurred in urban India.