Demi Moore, the statuesque actress known for her youthful looks, admits to struggling with a love-hate relationship with her body despite her beauty as she turns 50 this year. With even the most famous of celebrities doubting themselves, how important is body image?

Moore, in the February issue of Harper's Bazaar, admitted to having problems with body image, saying she's at the greatest odds with her body when she feels it's betraying her - struggling with weight and feeling that she couldn't eat what she wanted. That said, body image, even for huge celebrities, plays a crucial role in life.

Body image, which is how one perceives the body and values it, is derived from the pride people feel in themselves. And the fact that it directly affects how a person acts is important, especially to those who are viewed under the microscope.

However, the problem today is that there is a constant pressure, especially for women, to look a certain way. In fact, according to research, women's magazines have 10.5 times more ads and articles promoting weight loss than men's magazines do.

In addition, more than three-quarters of the covers of women's magazine include at least one message about how to change a woman's bodily appearance through diet, exercise, or cosmetic surgery, according to Media-Awareness.ca.

Having problems with body image could mean problems in accepting one's self, which not only affects confidence, but can also hugely affect a person in terms of mental and emotional health. A number of problems right off the bat when a person has poor body image are depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, FitDay.com reported.

Low self-esteem and the belief that one's self is less than others can breed fear of intimacy, can hamper interpersonal relationships, and in extreme cases, increase the risk of suicide.

On the other hand, a healthy view of body image will yield a person emotional and mental stability, and health. Aside from enjoying self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-esteem, people with a good body image is far less likely to suffer from eating disorders, depression and anxiety.

It's also quite easy to achieve happiness and content with body image. Studies have shown that moderate exercise can lead to healthier body image. It is also advised that in seeking a healthy body image, a person should surround himself with positive, happy, and inspiring people and things.

Exposure to healthy images rather than impossible and unrealistic standards also helps in improving body image.