Australian Governement - Youth.gov.au
Proposed National Strategy on Body Image
The Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, accepted an advisory report to help the Australian Government tackle negative body image on 27 October 2009.
The Proposed National Strategy on Body Image, which includes a voluntary Industry Code of Conduct, was developed by the National Advisory Group on Body Image established by Ms Ellis earlier this year.
The group is chaired by former Cosmopolitan Editor Mia Freedman and also includes model and television producer Sarah Murdoch, who met with the Prime Minister and Ms Ellis to discuss the report.
The report encourages advertisers, the media and the fashion industry to promote more positive body image messages.
The report includes a Voluntary Industry Code of Conduct on Body Image which recommends using healthy weight models, realistic and natural images of people and disclosure when images of people have been digitally manipulated.
The report also recommends building resilience in young people through a focus on peer interactions, parenting, and the role of schools and community groups.
- Read the report (
PDF 475KB |
RTF 494KB) - View the
media release
Feedback on the findings from the Body Image Consultation
Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis MP, launched an online body image survey to support the Australian Government’s efforts in tackling negative body image. The consultation ran between 6 May and 5 June 2009. 150 submissions were received.
The Online Consultation on Body Image was designed to gain insight into causes of negative body image and gather practical solutions for inclusion in the National Strategy on Body Image.
Ms Ellis, believes that body image is a complex issue that requires input from a wide range of participants.
“The goal is to develop a strategic national approach to tackle negative body image in a coordinated, targeted and effective way. This consultation process gives you the opportunity to share your thoughts on what should be done,” Ms Ellis said. Read more of Minister Ellis’ message
The consultation consisted of an information paper outlining key issues and providing supporting information on body image, and an online consultation.
- Information Paper ( PDF
315KB |
RTF 577KB)
- Findings of the consultation on body image
( PDF
223KB |
RTF
628KB)
You can find more information on what the government is doing.
If you have any questions about the consultation process or would like to provide additional information on addressing body image, please email bodyimagestrategy@deewr.gov.au
Quick links:
- Message from Minister Ellis
- Foreword by Mia Freedman
- Information Paper ( PDF
315KB |RTF 577KB)
- Findings of the consultation on body image
( PDF
223KB |RTF
628KB)
