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MOST OF TODAY'S  young people  feel some sort of pressure  during their school and university years.

If it's not academic demands, it may be relationship or money problems that add to the trials of daily life.

Negative body image is another source of pressure for teenagers - and such insecurity can be caused by the media or peers.

It is extremely important to have a positive body image - no matter what your size really is.

The media often sends out contradictory messages.

Very often women's magazines have a spread which aims to promote a good body image - and a few pages over they will have a fashion shoot featuring a super skinny model.

The voluptuous Jennifer Lopez once said in an interview: 'I can't change my basic body shape' - a fact which has been proved by many health experts.

You are born with a certain body type, and accepting it is vital to building a healthy body image. You cannot change genetics.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to  lead a fit and healthy lifestyle, and there are a multitude of activities in and around Hong Kong to help people achieve this.

But there is a problem when people  take drastic measures to emulate the latest Canto-pop or movie stars.

We will always be bombarded with billboards depicting 'perfect' looking people, but we have to realise that everyone is unique and special.

Philippa Yu Man-wai, a social worker with the Hong Kong Eating Disorder Association, says that many things could create a negative body image.

'People should assess slimming adverts critically. In our experience, it's usually the people who believe the message that end up being negatively influenced by it, which may result in an eating disorder,' she says.

The Hong Kong Eating Disorder Association recognises the importance of having a healthy outlook with regard to body image. Last year it spearheaded a campaign to promote positive thinking.

A short film competition was organised to help students develop a healthy attitude towards body image. Students were asked to shoot a video with the theme 'Being Healthy is Beautiful'.

'We want people to realise that being healthy in body will make them healthy in mind,'  Ms Yu says. 'Slimming campaigns will try and get people to lose weight quickly. But the only way for people to be healthy in every aspect is to do so gradually.'

Parents also play an important role in helping their children develop positive values.

'My advice to parents is to encourage and appreciate their kids as much as possible. Whether they're short, tall, round or skinny - as long as they're healthy and have a positive outlook on life, that's all that matters.'



Body beautiful