The Impact of Distorted Body Image on Psychological Disorders and Quality of Life: A Narrative Review

Background: Distorted body image is a multidimensional psychological phenomenon strongly associated with mental health disorders and impaired quality of life. It contributes to eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, influenced by sociocultural, familial, and individual factors. Objective: This narrative review examines how distorted body image contributes to the onset of psychological disorders and affects quality of life, while discussing the role of multidisciplinary interventions. Methods: A structured search was conducted in PubMed, SciELO, Google Scholar, and specialized journals. Publications between 2010 and 2024, in English and Portuguese, were included if they directly addressed the relationship between body image distortion, psychological disorders, and quality of life. Eligible studies were critically appraised and synthesized into thematic categories. Results: Evidence demonstrates that unrealistic beauty standards, amplified by social media, intensify body dissatisfaction and maladaptive behaviors such as restrictive dieting, binge eating, and compulsive exercise. Distorted body image is consistently linked to depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and reduced self-esteem, which in turn compromise interpersonal relationships, academic and professional performance, and overall health. Interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, nutritional counseling, and educational programs that promote body acceptance have shown positive outcomes. Conclusion: Body image distortion is a complex and clinically significant phenomenon with profound implications for psychological well-being and quality of life. Effective prevention and treatment require multidisciplinary strategies that integrate clinical care, education, and public health initiatives, with particular emphasis on early detection and body diversity promotion.