Body Image: Top Stressor for Indian Youth, AIIMS-ICMR Study Reveals

• Body image, not academics or career, is the primary cause of stress among Indian youth, affecting both overweight and underweight individuals.
• An AIIMS-ICMR study on 1,071 youth (18-30) found nearly half (49% obese, 47% underweight) suffer severe psychological distress due to body image.
• Underweight youth are twice as likely and obese youth three times as likely to experience body image-related distress compared to normal-weight peers.
• Experts emphasize integrating psychological screening into weight management programs for sustainable results, as emotional issues lead to program dropout.
• Social stigma, unrealistic beauty standards, and overlooked psychological burden on underweight youth exacerbate the problem, requiring a holistic approach.

Why It Matters: Body image is the leading cause of stress for Indian youth, demanding mental health integration in weight management.