Fear over body image ‘ not just teens’ MPs told
ANYBODY can be affected by worrying about their body image at any time, MPs were told yesterday.
A cross- party committee heard from an expert that the problem is far from being confined to teenagers selfconscious of their looks.
Dr Amy Slater said: “There are certain groups which are disproportionately affected compared to others.
“More women and girls experience poor body image issues and eating disorders than men and boys. But anybody can be affected any time.”
Dr Slater, associate professor at the Centre for Appearance Research, was speaking to the Women and Equalities Committee in Westminster.
Her comments backed up research by committee members which found two- thirds of under- 18s and 61 per cent of adults feel bad about their body most of the time.
The online survey also found 53 per cent of adults and 58 per cent of under
18s said lockdown had made them feel worse.
Women said they felt anxious about gaining weight in lockdown and were bombarded with online adverts to improve their appearance or diet.
The closure of gyms, less support for eating disorders and widespread discussions in the media of lockdown weight gain added to the pressure. Most people do not feel reflected in the images they see on television or in magazines, the committee heard. People who are transgender, disabled or from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are least likely to feel represented. Men also said they felt pressure to conform to tall, muscular stereotypes. Committee chair Tory MP Caroline Nokes said: “As body image is such a widespread problem it’s easy to underestimate the misery it causes. “There has been plenty of commentary but identifying proposals to tackle it is more challenging. Our inquiry aims to do exactly that.”
Also speaking to the committee were Dr Francesca Solmi of University College London and Professor Clare Chambers of the Nuffield Council for Bioethics.