Final answer:
Individuals' self-esteem can be significantly affected by their body weight and society's standards for appearance. Obsessions with weight can lead to health-compromising eating disorders. Stress and genetic factors also play a role in a person's body weight, which is distinct from their mass, an important scientific distinction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The perception of body weight can deeply impact a person's self-esteem. This intertwines with complex issues surrounding body image, societal expectations, and personal health. When individuals, particularly teenagers, compare themselves to societal standards of beauty or fitness, they can develop unhealthy obsessions with their weight.
Stress, as suggested by the study Kivimäki et al. (2006), can lead to changes in body weight, including weight gain and loss. This reflects the complexity of the relationship between a person's lifestyle, mental health, and body weight. Seeing weight as controllable may lead to prejudices against those who are overweight, not taking into account other factors beyond individual control such as genetics or medical conditions.