Body image surveyBody image survey

The average person sees about 1,500 adverts per day. Children in particular need to understand that images used in the media are not always a true reflection of the models they feature.

Evidence suggests that many people – men, women and children – suffer from negative feelings about their body shape and this can have a negative impact on their wellbeing.

We invite you to consider the questions below about the potential impacts of body image on young people.

1. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
A wide range of body images are portrayed in the media (i.e. in magazines, on TV, in advertising, music videos etc)

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A wide range of body images are portrayed in the media (i.e. in magazines, on TV, in advertising, music videos etc) Strongly agree

slightly agree

neither agree nor disagree

slightly disagree

strongly disagree

don’t know

2. The range of body images children are exposed to are realistic for them to attain...

The range of body images children are exposed to are realistic for them to attain... Strongly agree

slightly agree

neither agree nor disagree

slightly disagree

strongly disagree

don’t know

3. Do any children in your family, or children that you know, express concerns about their body image?

Do any children in your family, or children that you know, express concerns about their body image? Yes

Maybe

Don’t know

4. Before reading about the issue today, how much, if anything, would you say you knew about how images of people can be altered when they are shown in the media? (e.g. by airbrushing, skin tone changes, lengthening or narrowing of body parts)

Before reading about the issue today, how much, if anything, would you say you knew about how images of people can be altered when they are shown in the media? (e.g. by airbrushing, skin tone changes, lengthening or narrowing of body parts) A great deal

A fair amount

not very much

had heard about but knew nothing

don’t know

The government is working with a range of organisations to tackle the causes of low body confidence. Media Smart, a not for profit media literacy programme, has produced a guide to understanding the media and promoting healthy body image among children.

The guide can be downloaded at www.mediasmart.org.uk
For more information on the Government’s Body Confidence campaign go to www.homeoffice.gov.uk/equalities/equalitygovernment/body-confidence