Messages about body image

25 minutes 

Students explore the definition of body image and factors that affect it and recognise that we are all different physically. The aspects of development that they have little control over are discussed.

1. Explain that body image refers to how you see yourself, how you feel about the way you look and what you think other people might think about how you look. Explore this idea until you are sure students understand it.
2. Conduct a sharing circle using a small, soft ball and the following questions:
   • Name one way your family can affect your body image in a positive/negative way. E.g. genetics, meals eaten at home, income, traditions, customs and habits around food and exercise.
   • Name a way your friends can affect your body image in a positive/negative way. E.g. peer influence - liking or disliking the way another person dresses, how they speak to you about how you look. 
   • Name one thing about yourself that you feel good about and why. This can be to do with your body or another quality. 
   • Name one celebrity (musician, actor, athlete...) who has made you compare your body to his/hers.
   • Name how you might feel if you came to school on free dress day in your school uniform?
   • Name how you might feel if everyone in your group was wearing a certain type of wristband and you didn’t have one.
   • Name a diet that you have heard of. Examples may include raw food, low carb, keto, fasting, paleo etc.
   • What is your favourite nutritious food? (Keep in mind, some students will have different ideas about what is healthy or nutritious - try and encourage them to think about fruit/veg, dairy, grains, healthy fats and any meals that include a mix of these foods). 
   • What is your favourite way to exercise or be physically active? (Like above, exercise will look different for students depending on what they have access to outside of school - encourage those without active sports or hobbies to think about things like walking, riding a bike, dancing, going to the park, playing on the playground, stretching...) 
3. Have students record their own definition of body image and draw a mind map of where they might get their messages about their own body image.

Ask:

• In what ways are we different to each other? (e.g. height weight, complexion, eye colour, likes/dislikes, abilities)
• What are some things we can change through effort, by studying or practising? (e.g. sporting skills, musical skills)
• What are some things we can’t change about ourselves? (e.g. height, eye colour)
• What are some things about ourselves that will change over time whether we like it or not? (e.g. height and weight will change as we grow, interests change as we mature)

4. Have each student write down three things they are good at and share them with a partner. Stress that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. What makes the world interesting is that we all have these unique qualities. Explain that, as with other traits, each of us grows, develops and matures at a different rate. During adolescence and puberty, we experience significant changes in height, weight and weight distribution.

In girls:

• Typically begins earlier than in boys.
• Usually begins between 10.5 and 11.5 years (but may be as early as 8 or 9 and as late as 12 or older).
• Full physical development is usually reached by 15.5 years.

In boys:

• Usually begins between 11 and 13.5 years.
• Full physical development is usually reached by age 16 or 17.
• Often accompanied by an increase in muscles and strength.
• Often accompanied by an increase in appetite.

5. Ask:
   • Do you feel like you have ever been picked on or teased about qualities (either physical or otherwise) that are unique to you? How did you feel?
   • How could others change their approach to you to make the situation better?
   • What did you do to cope with your feelings about the situation?
   • Have you ever picked on others over some trait that is unique to them?
   • If so, how did the person you picked on respond?
   • If you had the situation to do over again, what would you do differently?
6. Stress that we are all different in many ways, including physically. Some of these differences are within our power to influence while others are out of our control. Stress that physical fitness and healthy eating are factors that are within our control that can help change our body shape. Sometimes, even with healthy eating and physical fitness our bodies may not change - and this is very normal. Everyone is born with different genes that impact how our body changes throughout the lifetime. Each of us should focus on being the best we can be and show respect toward others.