Two in three secondary pupils worry about their appearance when going back to school

Two in three secondary pupils worry about their appearance when going back to school, research shows

Sixty-nine per cent of young people are worried about parts of their appearance as they prepare to go back to school this week (4 September), research has shown.

According to new figures from YMCA for the Be Real campaign, which surveyed more than 1,000 young people, one in four (26 per cent) say that the way they look is one of their biggest worries at the start of the new school year.

The figures also highlighted how the early start of body image anxieties increase into adulthood.

While 20 per cent of young people aged 11 to 12 years old worry about their appearance, concerns peak at a time when they are already facing extreme pressures from GCSEs with 32 per cent of 15 to 16-year-olds saying their looks were one of their main concerns when going back to school.

Denise Hatton, chief executive of YMCA England & Wales, a founding partner of the Be Real Campaign, said: “Young people are constantly bombarded with images of unrealistic body types in the media, advertising and online, which can have devastating effects on their confidence and overall wellbeing.

“We know that some young people are so worried about their looks that it stops them from raising their hand in class or taking part in school activities, including PE.:

Hatton continued: “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 and have one less thing to worry about when they are going through puberty, which is already one of the most difficult stages of their life.”

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