Jump to main content
Search
shortlist register contact us menu

New report highlights prevalent body image concerns among UK schoolchildren

Date posted : 08 September 2017

More than two-thirds of young people are worried about aspects of their appearance as they return to school for the new academic year.

This is according to a new report from the YMCA and Dove, which have surveyed more than 1,000 young people across the UK as part of their Be Real campaign. It found that 69 per cent of school students are heading back to school with body image concerns, with 26 per cent saying the way they look is one of their biggest worries.

The survey indicated that these concerns tend to grow more prevalent as children get older, with 20 per cent of young people aged 11 to 12 years old saying they worry about their appearance, compared to 32 per cent among 15 to 16-year-olds.

It was also pointed out that these concerns can have an impact on educational attainment, as many young people avoid raising their hand in class or taking part in school activities due to their self-consciousness.

As such, supporters of the Be Real campaign are calling on schools and education professionals to treat body image as a key priority during the new school year, as teachers can make a big difference in tackling the negative effects that body image anxiety can have on young people.

A free toolkit for schools has already been made available by the campaign group, which has been downloaded almost 1,400 times since launch and has received positive feedback from both teachers and students.

Denise Hatton, chief executive of YMCA England and Wales, said: "Schools are uniquely placed to support young people to hold positive discussions around body image with their peers, and help reduce the negative impact low body confidence can have.

"In this digital age, it's now more important than ever that we talk openly about body image, so that young people can feel comfortable in their skin."

List #1

Related posts

Your Easter 2024 Payroll

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD03YY

Summary

Planning for the Easter break? The Teaching Personnel payroll team wants to make sure you get paid on time. This table outlines the Easter 2024 payroll date, along with the corresponding deadline

Teaser

Read more
Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Working as a Supply Teacher
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Working as a Supply Teacher

Teaser

Supply Teaching

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD01YY

Summary

Table of Contents 1. Why do people become supply teachers? 2. What does it take to become a supply teacher? 3. How can I find work as a supply teacher? <!-- b--> 4. How shou

Teaser

All your common questions about supply teaching answered

Read more
Alex Schulte

by

Alex Schulte

Alex Schulte

by

Alex Schulte

Navigating the Challenges of SEN Provision: A Call to Action in 2024

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD01YY

Summary

Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in schools is a critical aspect of education that demands attention in 2024. According to the Department for Education, over 1.5 million pupils in England

Teaser

Dive into the critical world of Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision with eye-opening statistics and real challenges faced by schools. Discover the importance of tailored support and the impact on learners.

Read more
Recruitment and Retention for MAT Leaders

Teaser

Multi-Academy Trusts

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD11YY

Summary

Laura Williams is an education leadership coach with fifteen years of leadership experience in education across business, operations, HR, finance and governance. She is a former Business Manager, CO

Teaser

Read more

by

Scott Owen

by

Scott Owen

Addressing Bullying: Transforming "Banter" into Respectful Dialogue

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD11YY

Summary

Creating a safe and nurturing environment for pupils is paramount in the age of evolving social dynamics. One issue that has gained significant attention in recent years is the distinction between

Teaser

Addressing the fine line between banter and bullying. Learn how seemingly harmless 'banter' can take a dark turn into hurtful bullying and the impact it has on students' well-being.

Read more
Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

view of young girl with glasses from behind working on school work
Teaching Personnel and Ark Curriculum Plus Delivering Mathematics Mastery

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD11YY

Summary

Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson addressed the Labour Party conference in October, where she announced plans to reform primary maths. Currently, one in four children leave primary school

Teaser

Discover how Teaching Personnel and Ark Curriculum Plus are revolutionizing primary math education in Leeds, Liverpool, Preston, and Sheffield.

Read more
Teacher in shirt and tie supervising students at desks taking exams in a school hall
How to Prepare Pupils for Their Mock Exams: A Guide for Educators

Teaser

Tips and Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD10YY

Summary

Mock exams are a crucial milestone in a pupil's academic journey, serving as a practice run for the real deal. As educators, you play a pivotal role in helping pupils navigate through these trial ex

Teaser

Our educator's guide offers tips to prepare students for mock exams, helping them gain confidence and perform well.

Read more
How to create a teacher supply pool this term

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD09YY

Summary

In the fast-moving world of education, headteachers and schools face the challenge of ensuring a continuous and reliable supply of qualified teachers. Unforeseen teacher absences due to staff sickness

Teaser

Learn how to build a resilient supply pool of trusted teachers with Teaching Personnel to combat shortages, reduce costs, and enhance education quality.

Read more
How to Survive Your PGCE: Essential Tips for Aspiring Educators

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD09YY

Summary

Embarking on the journey to become an educator is both exhilarating and demanding. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is crucial to achieving your teaching ambitions. The road ahead

Teaser

In this comprehensive guide, brought to you by Teaching Personnel, we'll delve into valuable insights and actionable tips to help you navigate this transformative phase of your professional development.

Read more
5 Tips for Managing Your Teaching Workload

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD08YY

Summary

Teaching is a rewarding profession that plays a crucial role in shaping our society's future. However, it comes with its challenges. The workload can be demanding, which might sometimes lead to feelin

Teaser

Teaching is a rewarding profession that plays a crucial role in shaping our society's future. However, it comes with its challenges. The workload can be demanding, which might sometimes lead to feelings of stress.

Read more
company logo
Search