Research conducted by YMCA uncovers evidence of body image anxiety in 11 to 16 year olds
The Be Real Campaign, founded by YMCA and Dove, launched the Body Confidence Campaign Toolkit for Schools in January 2017.
Aimed at secondary schools and made up of essential guidance, materials and advice on teaching body confidence in the classroom, the toolkit has been created on the back of research that found:
- 52% of 11 to 16 year olds worry about how they look
- 30% of 11 to 16 year olds isolate themselves from certain activities because of body image anxiety
- 36% of 11 to 16 year olds said they would do ‘whatever it takes’ to look good, including considering cosmetic surgery
- Only 48% of young people surveyed had learned about body confidence in school
- Of those who had learned about body confidence in school, 76% said it made them feel more positive about themselves.
The toolkit is now available for all secondary schools to download. Schools taking on the toolkit may also download the #BeRealSchool badge to promote their body confidence commitment in school and on social media.
Read Somebody Like Me research, conducted by YMCA, news, blogs and young person stories below or go to the Be Real Campaign website for more information.
If you would like your local YMCA to talk about body confidence in your school, please get in touch.