Inclusion and Wellbeing

Inclusion Update

Fostering Positive Body Image in Children: Insights from Recent Research

Last week some members of the Wellbeing and Leadership team attended a presentation put together by The Better Health Network about fostering positive relationships with food and body. The Better Health Network (BHN) is prioritising four key areas: food, movement and active communities; wellbeing and connection; gender equity; and the prevention of violence.

Recent findings underscore the importance of promoting positive body image among children and adolescents to prevent the onset of disordered eating and related mental health issues.

Understanding Body Image and Its Implications

Body image refers to an individual's perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about their body. These perceptions can range from positive to negative and are influenced by various factors, including media portrayals, societal standards, and personal experiences. Negative body image is associated with a higher risk of developing disordered eating behaviors, such as restrictive dieting, binge eating, and excessive exercise.

Early Onset of Body Dissatisfaction

Research indicates that body dissatisfaction can manifest in children as young as 3 years old. By the age of 5, a significant percentage of children exhibit preferences for thinner body types, with 90% of boys and 92% of girls indicating a preference for not inviting larger-sized children to their birthday parties and perceiving thin to average-sized children as 'good.' This early onset highlights the need for early interventions to promote positive body image.

Body dissatisfaction begins in ages prior to puberty (data reporting 9-12 year olds). More than half (53.8%) of 12 to 18 year olds reported being dissatisfied with how their body looks. 

The Importance of Prevention Programs

Prevention programs have proven to be cost-effective in reducing the onset of eating disorders and alleviating related concerns such as disordered eating and body image distress. Implementing such programs can foster healthier relationships with food and body image among individuals, particularly in school settings.

Effective Prevention Programs

Implementing school-based interventions can be effective in promoting positive body image and reducing body dissatisfaction. A meta-analysis of existing school-based interventions designed to enhance media literacy found a significantly larger effect on positive body image and media literacy in the intervention compared to control groups. link.springer.com

Programs that focus on developing critical thinking skills regarding media portrayals and promoting self-worth beyond physical appearance have shown promise in improving body image among youth. heraldsun.com.au

For more information on supporting positive body image in children, resources are available from organisations such as the Mental Health Foundation and the Butterfly Foundation.

The Role of The Better Health Network

The Better Health Network, a not-for-profit organization serving communities across south-eastern Melbourne for nearly 50 years, has been instrumental in providing primary and allied health care services. Their extensive work in schools focuses on promoting positive body image and addressing related issues, aligning with the four key areas of action. 

If this is something your child is struggling with or you’d like to find out more, contact our wellbeing team for further information, matilda.bedendo@education.vic.gov.au