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The issue of "body image" is about more than just eating disorders. It's also about things like self-esteem, body esteem and a healthy lifestyle.
On Friday 18 April 2008 the Victorian Government launched its Voluntary Media Code of Conduct. The Code is designed to encourage the fashion, media and advertising industries to show more diverse, and more positive body images. It also ecourages them to focus on health instead of body shape.
What does the Code say?
The Code lists four guidelines that should be considered by the media:
- Altered and Enhanced Images - The use of unachievable and unrealistic digitally-manipulated images of people in the media is discouraged. If such alteration has occurred, digitally-altered images should be tagged in a way that says something like, “this image has been digitally altered?".
- Diversity in Shapes - A variety of body shapes should be included in images used both editorially (ie, alongside articles) and in advertising.
- Fair Placement - Consideration should be given to the context in which diet, exercise or cosmetic surgery advertising is used.
- Modelling Health - Glamorisation of severely underweight models or celebrities is potentially dangerous; an effort should be made to show pictures of people of healthy weight and sizes.
A copy of the code (.pdf, 962Kb) is available to download.
A bit of background
Research shows that both men and woman often compare themselves with the idealised images they see in the media. Studies have shown that viewing idealised magazine images can lead to increased depression and decreased body satisfaction.
The Code aims to decrease young people’s vulnerability to feelings of low self-esteem, disordered eating and negative body image, all of which are associated with exposure to idealised, unrealistic images in the media and advertising.
In 2005 the Victorian Government held a public inquiry into body image. Many of the submissions from young people talked about negative feelings relating to body image. Some examples of their answers include:
- "Every day my girl friends find new things about their appearance to hate. If you tell them they’re pretty they don’t believe you." (Ali, 14)
- "I know with my male friends that the issues is just as bad for young men and the outcome is often more devastating." (Shaun, 19)
- "I would like to see more magazines with healthy girls. They could be big or small girls as long as they honestly eat healthily and exercise, and also some more info on proper diets... none of these silly fads." (Erin, 19)
As a result of that inquiry things like the Positive Body Image Grants were developed, as well as an overall government strategy to deal with body image issues. One of the outcomes involved the Minister for Youth Affairs establishing a Media Code of Conduct on Body Image.
A number of key people from the media, fashion and advertising industries advised the Government on the way the media help with the responsible portrayal of images to young people.
The final result was the Report of the Media Code of Conduct, a comprehensive report written by the Body Image Working Group in response to the Positive Image Parliamentary Inquiry.
You can download a copy of the Report of the Media Code of Conduct as a PDF (212 kb - new window) or a Word Document (272kb - new window)
The importance of positive body image
Having a positive body image is essential. A healthy self esteem helps people to face and overcome the challenges of life. The stronger your self esteem, the less vulnerable you are to negative influences.
It's not easy - for young people especially - to be positive all the time about yourself. Having the skills and knowledge to be resilient helps young people to value individuality, accept difference, address the limitations that our culture can place on young people and expand their options.
More Body Image articles on youthcentral:
- Body Image - our Body image page, in our Health & relationships section, is a good place to find out more about body image issues.
- A positive for negative body image - Roving reporter Ashlea interviews Glenn Taylor about the Girls on the Go program
- The Secret Life of David Treddinick - Roving reporter Ashlea interviews actor David Tredinnick, one of the members of the Code of Conduct Advisory Committee
- BodyThink vs. Team Beautiful - Roving reporter Dana's article about the BodyThink initiative
- Body Image - Roving reporter Anna's thoughts about body image issues
And don't forget to check out the articles on body image, sport and healthy lifestyles written by Jesse, our Sport and Body Image reporter!
