Parliament

Introduction 

Welcome to the homepage for the All Party Parliamentary Group on Body Image of which Central YMCA provides the secretariat.

All Party Parliamentary Groups are formed by MPs and Peers of any political party who have a common interest. They are not part of the Government and set their own agenda; they must also contain members from at least the three biggest political parties in the House of Commons.

Image shows the launch of the APPG on Body Image (from left): Mary Glindon MP, Caroline Nokes MP, Duncan Stephenson (CYMCA), Jo Swinson MP, Rosi Prescott (CYMCA).

Closing date for evidence to the Body Image Inquiry - FRIDAY 24th FEBRUARY

The APPG is currently conducting an inquiry into the causes and consequences of body image anxiety in the UK and what practical steps can be taken to address this. The group will hear from a range of organisations and individuals in Parliament over the coming months, however we are keen to hear from as many people as possible on this subject.

If you would like to provide a response to the Inquiry, please click on the following link where you will be able to give evidence.

Take part.

What do MPs think about body image issues?

Early in 2011 Central YMCA commissioned COMRES, an independent market research company to find out what MPs think about body image issues. Some of the key findings include:

Celebrity culture (68%), the fashion industry (53%) and advertisers (52%) are the three elements that MPs view as being the most responsible for negative body image among the British public

MPs support Government facilitating a voluntary code of conduct (56% agree) and policies for more responsible marketing and advertising (52%) to address body image issues

Over one third (40%) of MPs agree that Secondary schools should have mandatory lessons on body image as part of either Personal Social Health and Economic education (PSHE) or through the core curriculum

About the APPG

This All Party Group exists to raise awareness of some of the issues around body image particularly to MPs from all political parties and to policy makers. The APPG was established in May 2011 and over the course of this Parliament we will work towards:

• Bringing together interested parties, from a range of sectors including:
  
  • Advertising industry
  • Health and fitness sector
  • Media
  • Youth organisations
  • Fashion and beauty sector
• Highlighting areas of best practice
• Examining potential causes of negative body image
• Showcasing new research on body image

A word from Jo Swinson MP

“Body dissatisfaction in the UK has never been higher, particularly among young people. The pressure to conform to the impossible stereotypes we are bombarded with in advertising, magazines and on the catwalk is overwhelming and damaging - one in four of us are depressed about our bodies.

Low self-esteem, depression and eating disorders are all increasing, along with unhealthy behaviours: half of young people have been on a diet, one in 10 would take laxatives to lose weight and the number of young men taking steroids has doubled in the last 10 years.

These problems urgently need addressing and the APPG on Body Image will bring together some of the key players in this debate in a cross-party forum – youth organisations, the advertising industry, health sector and media. We will challenge some of the root causes of negative body image, highlight best practice and work towards building a society in which people feel more body confident.”