The Curvy Concerns

How teenagers are battling harmful beauty ideals.

- By Nidhi Raj

In India, like many other parts of the world, the obsession with physical appearance has become a significant issue for teenage girls, particularly regarding body shape. The desire to have larger, more visible breasts and wider hips is increasingly seen as a marker of attractiveness, femininity, and maturity. This unhealthy fixation is influenced by a combination of cultural standards, Bollywood, social media, and peer pressure. The impact of this obsession is profound, often leading to psychological distress, social isolation, and risky behaviours among teenagers.

Several cases highlight the growing impact of body image obsession among teenagers. One such case involves a 17-year-old girl from Mumbai, who developed depression after being constantly teased for her “boyish” figure. She began using unregulated breast enhancement creams purchased online, which caused severe hormonal imbalances and skin reactions. Despite medical intervention, her mental health worsened due to the bullying she had endured, leading her to seek therapy for body dysmorphia.

In another incident from Bangalore, a 15-year-old girl became addicted to working out excessively after watching fitness influencers on Instagram. She was determined to achieve wider hips and a smaller waist, which she believed would make her more attractive to her peers. Her obsession with exercise led to severe weight loss, muscle strain, and amenorrhea (loss of menstruation), causing long-term health complications. Her story was a wake-up call for many schools to address the growing issue of body image dissatisfaction among students.

Beauty and Body Ideals in India