Body image conduct call
Eating disorder distress spikes
THE Butterfly Foundation is calling for a national parliamentary inquiry into body image, as pleas for help to the eating disorders support body have exploded by 275 per cent in the past five years, with cases becoming more complex and concerning.
The voluntary Industry Code of Conduct on Body Image was established more than 12 years ago and the foundation said that the code was outdated and did not take into consideration the rapid evolution and adoption of social media.
The inquiry call is just one part of the Butterfly Foundation’s new campaign – The Next 20 – announced on Wednesday to tackle the changing face of body image and the eating disorder crisis hitting the country.
Butterfly is celebrating 20 years of service, but the next 20 will bring new challenges. More than a million Australians live with an eating disorder, with many more suffering body image issues and the problems start as early as five years old. One million Australians are estimated to be living with an eating disorder and health services are facing record demand for treatment.
Queensland specialists report the surge is the worst they have seen in 20 years, with months-long waiting lists for services.
“Anecdotally speaking, the way we talk about eating disorders is about 10 years behind how we now speak about anxiety and depression. Eating disorders are still misunderstood and grossly under-estimated, with stigma and stereotypes acting as a major barrier to help-seeking,” Butterfly Foundation chief executive Kevin Barrow said
“There is so much more work that needs to be done in the prevention, early intervention, and treatment of eating disorders as well as education for the broader community.
“But we desperately need the support of our community and are calling for donations so we can deliver on our ambitions for The Next 20. We are only just getting started.”
Butterfly is tackling early intervention with a primary school program Butterfly Body Bright, which has now expanded to 180 schools nationally. The program fosters positive body image and builds confidence for them to call out appearance-based teasing and bullying. This program will be a big part of The Next 20 campaign.