The need for improved regulation to stop inappropriate advertising to young people, and the introduction of age restrictions on non-medical cosmetic procedures, are just two of the key recommendations highlighted in a new report on young people’s Body Image published today (Tuesday 17 March 2020).
While people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) experience body image concerns in ways that are generally similar to people who identify as heterosexual, their experience and relationship with their body is likely to differ in specific ways.
The community and family orientated approaches outlined in the independent review of Health and Social Care in Wales provides a great sense of optimism: that individuals will stop being viewed in isolation, with a community public mental health approach underpinning the recommendations.
This report highlights a series of key recommendations for helping young people across Scotland achieve good body image and recognise that we are much more than what we look like.
Our survey found that while 21% of adults (23% of men and 19% of women) felt satisfied because of their body image in the last year, 20% (15% of men and 25% of women) felt shame, 34% (25% of men and 43% of women) felt down or low, and 19% (12% of men and 26% of women) felt disgusted in the last year because of their body image.
Our mental health is determined by our environments and life experiences. Our local authorities make choices every day that affect the well-being of tens of thousands of people. Local councillors have the power to influence decisions that will create safe, healthy communities that enable people to thrive.
Research conducted by the Mental Health Foundation has shown that loneliness is one of the leading public health challenges of our time - it can be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day.
