Reflections on beauty as it relates to health in adolescent females.

Because an attractive appearance is so essential to the feminine gender role, the search for beauty causes special adjustment problems for adolescent girls. Psychologically they suffer from negative body image, lowered self-esteem, and achievement conflicts. Physically their health is undermined by current beauty norms which foster eating disorders, cosmetic acne, and breast surgery. The effects of physical fitness programs, the role of the media, and the influence of changing gender roles are also discussed.