Body image issues ‘ worse in lockdown’

THE MAJORITY of people feel negatively about their body image most of the time and lockdown has exacerbated these feelings, research by a Commons committee suggests.

Two- thirds of under- 18s and 61 per cent of adults feel negative or very negative about their body image most of the time, according to an online poll by the Women and Equalities Committee ( WEC).

The survey, which received 7,878 responses, was shared on social media between July 6 and 19.

It also found that over half ( 53 per cent) of adults and 58 per cent of under- 18s said the coronavirus lockdown made them feel worse or much worse about their appearance.

Women said they felt anxious about gaining weight during lockdown and were bombarded with online adverts to improve their appearances as they spent more time inside consuming media.

The closure of gyms, less support for eating disorders and widespread discussions in the media of lockdown weight gain added to the pressure they felt.

One young woman wrote: “I feel women constantly have diet and exercise adverts thrown at us on social media and TV and it’s very overwhelming, particularly during this lockdown I’ve noticed it more. It makes you feel like you HAVE to be on some sort of diet.”