What Can We Do?

Clearly action is needed to build and promote positive body image and support good mental health and wellbeing in relation to our bodies.

Everyone has a right to feel comfortable and confident in their own bodies and our report highlights key recommendations for:

• Effective regulation of how body image is portrayed.
• The need for commitment from social media companies to play a key role in promoting body kindness.
• Taking a public health approach to body image by training frontline health and education staff.
• Individually being more aware of how we can take care of ourselves and others in relation to body image.
• Individually being more aware of steps we can take for ourselves and others

If your body image is a significant cause of stress, or if you’re being bullied about how your body looks, consider talking to a friend, a trusted adult or a health professional.

• Spring-clean your apps on your smartphone.
• Notice the people and accounts you’re following on social media and be mindful of how you feel about your own body and appearance when you look at them.
• If you see an advert in a magazine, on television or online that you think presents an unhealthy body image as aspirational, you can complain to the Advertising Standards Authority.
• At home, parents and carers can lead by example, by modelling positive behaviour around body image, eating healthily and staying active.
• In our daily lives, we can all be more aware of the ways in which we speak about our own and other people’s bodies in casual conversations with friends and family.
• Find the best way that works for you to stay active