TAMPA, Fla. — The Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council (MYLC) is hosting a free online forum on Wednesday night to help teens struggling with their body image.

Body dysmorphia is a mental health condition where someone spends an excess amount of time worrying about their personal appearance.

It can lead to much more serious health conditions later in life.

“It's OK to have different bodies than other people,” said 17-year-old Ella Coble.  She’s a member of the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council. “Because they go through different types of dieting and I am not the same type of person they are. It's just good to remind yourself of that once in a while so it doesn't have lasting effects in the future."

The MYLC is hosting an online forum from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday night featuring expert panelists to talk to teens and families about a positive self body image, dieting and the psychology of a poor body image.

Participants will hear from experts and then have time for questions.

"I hope they realize that they are not alone,” said Coble. "Unfortunately it's a real common issue and maybe something that triggers something in their mind, like, 'Oh, I do that, maybe I should look into that,' or maybe, 'I should try and find a healthier way to do this.' And just make them understand that everyone is different and everyone deals with eating and how they deal with themselves in different ways. And if you want to better yourself, there are people that can help you out with that." 

For more information or to RSVP for the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council Creating Healthier Bodies forum, visit here.