Body Image Survey
How do you feel body image? Does how people feel about their body affect their mental health? Does social media have an impact on the way people feel about their bodies?
The House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee wants to know what you think about these questions in a short survey.
How can you help
We want to hear from you. Complete our survey and let us know what you think about body image.
If you think you or your school or organisation has more to share on this issue, beyond the survey, it would be great to hear from you. You can submit a more detailed submission on our website.
The MPs on the Committee also want to know what young people think about body image. The survey contains different questions for under and over 18s. Share the survey with your networks to give them an opportunity to share their views on body image directly with MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee.
The Big Picture
Negative body image is often seen as solely a young women’s problem. But, recently, research has shown it affects far more people. Studies by the NHS have shown that 57% of young men felt pressured by social media to look good with 23% believing that a ‘perfect male body’ exists.
Research also indicates that people want to see more diversity in the media including more visibility of ethnic minorities and people with disabilities and that negative body image is particularly felt by certain groups including the LGBT community.
What’s the Women and Equality Committee?
MPs from all political parties work together in smaller groups called ‘select committees’. Most select committees have 11 Members and are set up to monitor the work of specific Government Departments, like Health, Education and Defence.
Select Committees hold inquiries to investigate problems and collect evidence, then they make recommendations to the Government. Their findings are public and usually require a response from the Government.
The UK has a Government Departed called the ‘Government Equalities Office’ and the Women and Equalities Select Committee monitors their work as well as other departments where their work has implications.
Past inquiries include:
Watch this video to find out more about how committees work