In November 2009 Australia’s National Body Image Advisory Committee presented the Federal Government with a proposed National Strategy on Body Image. A response to this strategy is due in the next few months. Being a contributor to the strategy I, and I know many others, are hoping for a positive response that brings about many new initiatives that will be put towards developing Australia as a more positive body image nation.
One of the areas of the proposed strategy I’m particularly interested in, is the proposals put forward regarding creating more body image friendly schools. This is the part of the strategy I had the most contribution to and am very proud of. There have been a variety of recommendations put forward regarding schools, including that they embed body image education in the national curriculum and that they be given funding for reputable organisations to deliver body image initiatives to students.
It has also been recommended that schools adopt the “Checklist For Body Image Friendly Schools” aimed at ensuring the cultural and social norms of the school advocate and provide a supportive, safe and body image friendly environment. Some of the checklist items for schools to consider in creating this body image friendly environment include:
Having a statement in the school bullying policy that is directly aimed at prohibiting appearance-related teasing.
Ensuring that body image friendly school and sports uniforms are available that suit a variety of different body shapes and sizes.
No weighing, measuring or skin fold testing of students in any context.
Provide an opportunity for all students to engage in regular physical activity that is noncompetitive and non-weight-loss focused.
Provide a balance of food options from all food groups in the canteen.
Training of all relevant teaching staff in the early identification and referral of serious body image issues and eating disorders.
Provision of developmentally appropriate body image teachings at every year level.
Present talks and information nights for parents about body image issues.
I’m not sure if anyone else out there can remember being weighed or having their skin fold measurements taken at school – but I can. It was done twice a year in PE class and the wave of anxiety it created amongst the girls in my class was palpable. Why was it done? To this day I do not know. All I can remember is lining up single file to stand on the scale in front of one teacher who then read out what you weighed to another teacher who recorded the number in an exercise book – while everyone could hear of course. One would think that such practices would be considered antiquated now, but they continue in many schools both here and overseas.
By ceasing practices such as this and adopting more body image friendly concepts, I truly believe we can begin to make in roads to helping children and young people develop more positive body image. No matter what the response to the overall strategy, I hope that schools will still manage to be inspired by things such as this checklist and consider adopting even just some of its points. I for one, know I would feel proud and hopeful to send my child to a school that took this issue seriously and wanted to do all it could to promote a body image friendly environment.
What are your thoughts on the checklist? Is there a point that you feel is especially needed in your child’s school or an idea you have that you think schools should adopt? I would love to hear your thoughts.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
There is some great stuff here and I think this will go a long way to helping children and teenagers to develop healthier attitudes towards body image.
It made me wonder whether there was anything my school could have done to have prevented my decline into anorexia bulimia, and I realised body image was not ever talked about openly. It was, of course, a subject amongst students; but not one that was discussed from a balanced perspective, and was quite divorced from related subjects such as biology, sport or nutrition.
The more people are able to share and explore questions around body image, the easier it is to resolve them in healthier ways, I think; and challenge the negative perceptions that can underlie eating disorders. Hopefully the body image teaching can start to make this important move and encourage an openness that will enable people to benefit from sharing perspectives and gaining a more objective take on body image issues.
What a great idea. I know that I do my utmost to instill a positive body image in my daughter and acceptance of all others, but school is seven hours a day that I'm not around. She's only 10 but I can see that it's already an issue with so many of her friends. I remember that horrid skin fold test. And still feel sick just thinking of it. This sounds like an excellent initiative and can't wait till it's introduced.
Fantastic idea…if only this was around when I was at school..perhaps I wouldn't have succumb to the pressure and developed an ED…I say bring it on! xx
Great checklist. I had no idea schools did weight checks like that. That's cruel. I feel fortunate that none of my schools ever did that. I would have been so embarrassed. And what is the point? Thanks for helping to make change in this world.
Thanks all for your great feedback. Hoping this will have a lasting positive influence on schools and students too.
I really liked the balanced food groups in the canteen but a few years ago when I was researching issues on childhood obesity, I came across a good program in the states where kids in the classroom would bring in food, share it, discuss it and talk about how to ENJOY it. There was a mixture of foods, variety, moderation was taught and the emphasis was NOT about weight loss, dieting, restriction, calories, or even balanced food groups…but rather about the ENJOYMENT of food in a social setting.
Clearly that would be tricky in many schools in this day and age, but I think the focus on healthy food is just as unhelpful as on dieting or junk food etc. I think while food is used to barter with for health (pro or con) its going to just increase all forms of negativity and guilt associated with eating it. Whereas by increasing an understanding of food and its enjoyment and normality and teaching healthy eating habits, which shock horror, includes chocolate cake and ice cream at times(!) would impact significantly on body image, social awareness and promote discussion amongst peers and improve connection and identification of problems (including aspects like insecure food sources, eating disorders, social connection etc) for teachers.
Just my thought
As for the skin fold testing, Oh boy! Yes my memories are very similar to yours! Blah! (I don't think I will EVER understand how callipers can honestly be accurate given the significant range of variation in body shape
.)