When thin is not thin enough: Body image pressures among adolescents
What do you say when your underweight friend tells you she wants to lose even more weight? What if her goal is to become so thin that her leggings hang loosely on her body? She tells you that for her being that thin would be necessary to feel beautiful.
In recent years, beauty standards in Korea have shifted in subtle but troubling ways. Not too long ago, people spoke of the “thigh gap,” the space between the thighs that appears when someone is extremely thin. For many young women, that gap came to symbolize beauty and desirability. Today, however, these standards have become increasingly narrow and exacting. The goal is no longer simply to be thin, but to be thin enough that clothing intended to fit snugly drapes around a fragile frame. For some young people, this may sound far-fetched. For others, it has become an aspiration.
Adolescence is a particularly sensitive period for body image development. As adolescents undergo puberty, their bodies change rapidly, and they begin to form their sense of identity, which includes how others perceive them. These overlapping pressures create fertile ground for insecurity and distorted perceptions of the body. Research shows that an appearance is one of the main concerns of Korean teens, with an estimated 30 to 50 percent experiencing body dissatisfaction.
Gender and age differences in body image are pronounced. While boys’ developing physiques tend to align more closely with cultural ideals of strength, physiological changes in girls, including increased body hair and fat deposits, often diverge from dominant beauty standards. Research reveals that body image concerns can emerge as early as age 6. As young girls learn to associate appearance with their sense of worth, they also internalize unrealistic and unattainable ideals. Timely intervention for healthier, more developmentally grounded understandings of the body is clearly necessary.
When adolescents come to believe their bodies are “not good enough,” some skip meals or go on extreme diets, while others turn to laxatives for weight loss. Of greater concern, some use prescription diet drugs like phentermine, marketed in Korea as Dietamin and referred to as a “butterfly drug” due to its shape. Phentermine is intended for short-term use (no more than four weeks) under medical supervision, as it acts on the central nervous system similarly to an amphetamine-like stimulant. Yet adolescents can obtain it easily through online platforms. Many young users do not fully understand the risks, including dependence and other health complications.
Beyond eating disorders, negative body perception is linked to a range of mental health concerns, including low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation. These risks are particularly salient during adolescence as emotional development is still underway. What begins as dissatisfaction with appearance can gradually erode mental well-being and then lead young people to view weight loss as a necessity. Over time, this mindset can persist into adulthood, shaping identity and well-being in enduring ways.
Several cultural factors may contribute to this phenomenon. Korean society places strong emphasis on how individuals are perceived by others. Being attentive to social evaluation helps promote social cohesion, but can also pressure young people to conform to external standards. K-pop idols achieve fame and fortune at a young age, and their appearance becomes integral to their professional identity. For adolescents at a similar age, comparisons become immediate and personal. When extremely slim bodies are consistently glorified, it is easy to believe that food restriction is the ultimate path to success.
Likewise, digital technology and online media play a powerful role. With over 96 percent of Korean adolescents owning smartphones, many are continuously exposed to algorithm-driven content centered on appearance, dieting, and weight loss. Much of this content is accessed without adequate guidance, leaving them vulnerable to harmful messages. Prolonged screen time also reduces opportunities for physical activity, which contributes to weight gain. For those already sensitive to social comparison, these dynamics can create a self-reinforcing cycle that perpetuates a negative body image.
Adolescents need to be educated to critically understand how cultural expectations and digital environments shape what they see and how they see themselves. Educational institutions and communities must respond more effectively with targeted interventions, because gender and age shape body image experiences in distinct ways. Korean society must also reflect on the messages it sends. Cultural ideals do not emerge in isolation; they are shaped by collective choices. Fostering healthier standards, therefore, is a shared responsibility.
Encouragingly, efforts to address these concerns are already underway. In 2019, the Korean government implemented the “Basic Plan for Student Health Promotion,” aimed at supporting students’ overall well-being through strengthened physical education, expanded health services and improved school meal quality and nutrition education. While these initiatives represent a step forward, they should be complemented by policies that promote safer digital environments and more rigorous auditing of online content.
For adolescents, struggles with body image are not only about appearance, but also self-worth. To help them grow into healthy adults, we must create a culture that values them not for thigh gaps or loosely hanging clothes, but for their character, their potential and who they are becoming and can become.
Ma Kyung-hee is a Seoul-based editor and researcher focusing on psychological well-being and community care.