This frustration contributes to a dieter's emotional distress and exacerbates feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. In addition, dieters place great importance on their weight and shape. Most dieters consider their body shape to be one of the most important components of their self-worth. The problem, however, in basing so much of one's self-esteem on thinness is that body shape is not nearly as malleable as our culture suggests. Dieting and body dissatisfaction are certainly closely connected.
Dieters begin their diets feeling dissatisfied with their bodies.
Research has shown that the vast majority of college women who reported being dissatisfied with their weights were dieting. But dieting itself can worsen self-image. However, when one diet fails, another one commonly follows. To put it simply, dieting does not make you feel better about yourself. And in all likelihood, it will make you feel worse about yourself.