Research reveals the impact that low body confidence has on secondary pupils

Researchers spoke to more than 2,000 secondary school pupils aged 11 to 16 years old and found that more than a third (36 per cent) were willing to do ‘whatever it takes to look good’ and that nearly two thirds (63 per cent) said what other people think of their looks is important to them.

The report also highlights the vital part schools have to play in tackling body image anxiety, as three quarters of young people (76 per cent) who learned about body confidence as part of their curriculum said it made them feel more positive about themselves. However, despite this, less than half of young people (48 per cent) surveyed said they had learned about the issue in the classroom.

On the back of these findings, the Be Real Campaign has launched a new Body Confidence Campaign Toolkit for Schools. Available to download for all secondary schools across the country, the pack provides lesson guidance, advice and materials to help teachers educate their pupils on body image.

The Be Real Campaign is a national movement made up of individuals, businesses, charities and public bodies. It was formed in 2014 in response to the Reflections on Body Image report 2012 from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Body Image. YMCA and Dove are founding partners and the campaign is sponsored by bareMinerals, N Brown, New Look and Superdrug.