This document discusses body image and where body image expectations come from. It defines body image as how one sees themselves and feels about their appearance and body. It discusses how edited photos can make people feel about their own bodies. It also discusses the importance of talking about body image and statistics around body image anxiety in young people in the UK. Students will learn about what forms body image and influences it like social media, TV, other people and mood.

1. Let’s get started
Can you spot
the
differences
between
these two
photos?

2. Students will be able to……
● Define what ‘body image’ means
● Discuss where body image expectations come from
Tutorial Learning Objectives
So why is this content important?
How does it link to your life outside of the sixth form?
This tutorial links to…..
Mental Health and
Wellbeing

3. Let’s get started
Almost everything has
been retouched in this
photo. Not just the
things that are
highlighted but the
photo has been edited
to change the lighting,
the background and
slightly softer focus.
How does seeing photos
that have been edited like
this make people feel about
their own
bodies/appearance?

4. Body image is how you see yourself when you look in the mirror or when
you picture yourself in your mind. It includes:
● What you believe about your own appearance (whether that’s true or
not).
● How you feel about your body, including your height, shape, and weight.
● How you physically experience or feel in your body.
What do we mean by ‘Body Image’?

5. Why is it important that we talk about this?
In 2017 an group called ‘Be Real’ did a report on the impact of body image anxiety
on young people in the UK. The major findings within from that report were:
● 52% of young people regularly worry about how they look
● 30% of young people isolate themselves because of body image anxiety
● 36% of young people said they would do ‘whatever it takes’ to look good,
including considering cosmetic surgery
● Only 48% of young people surveyed had learned about body confidence in
school
And most importantly for us:
● Of those who had learned about body confidence in school, 76% said it made
them feel more positive about themselves.

6. In pairs think about the different
categories listed and discuss
how you think that these can
have an impact on a person’s
body image.
Be ready to feedback on all of
them as your pair will be picked
at random.
Body Image influences
● Looking in the mirror
● Photos on social
media
● Films/TV shows
● What other people say
● Mood
● Hormones

7. Often when it comes to our own body
image we focus in on the things we
don’t like about ourselves.
Even when see things that go against
our negative views we can write
them off as a fluke and instead focus
in on the stuff we don’t like.
Watch the following video and
think about how the model’s own
body image issues impact how
they’re talking about themselves.