Body image, a source of stress for Quebecers

Nearly 45% of Quebecers say their weight makes them unhappy, a poll released Tuesday showed.

The survey conducted by the firm Léger on behalf of the ÉquiLibre organization reveals that the pandemic has had a considerable impact on concerns and dissatisfaction related to weight and body image. Thus, nearly 40% of those surveyed have heard more about their weight since the start of the health crisis and 34% say they are more concerned about it.

We must not forget that confinement and changes in habits have led people to feel more guilty about their diet. So there are 65% of Quebecers who want to lose weight, while 25% admit to feeling guilty for not eating better. This figure increases when it comes to physical activity, with 38% feeling guilty for not doing more.

For Andrée-Ann Dufour Bouchard, nutritionist and project manager at ÉquiLibre, “these data are worrying because it has been clearly demonstrated that body dissatisfaction is an obstacle to the adoption and maintenance of healthy lifestyle habits. and well-being.”

beauty standards

Although 37% say they are obsessed with controlling their weight, what may seem disturbing are the survey results related to beauty standards. Indeed, a large majority of people (70%) admit to feeling pressure to resemble beauty standards, while 19% doubt their value because of the standards conveyed in the media.

While working from home has been in vogue for almost two years, 45% of Quebecers do not dare to open the camera for a conference call when their appearance seems neglected.