Supporting positive relationships with body image

What we know  

Body image refers to how we think and feel about our bodies. It can affect how we eat, exercise and see our own value. Many women and girls feel pressure to look a certain way, and this can be stressful. Around 80% of women are unhappy with their bodies in some way, and more than 80% of teenage girls want to be thinner.  

Having a poor body image can make people feel embarrassed or ashamed, and this can stop them from playing sports. Sometimes it can lead to serious mental health problems like eating disorders and self-harm.  

Things that help change a negative body image to a positive one include being part of an accepting group or community, and learning to challenge negative thoughts and enjoy moving. Being involved in sport can help people feel good about themselves through being active, building friendships, and being part of a supportive community. It also helps to focus on what the body can do rather than how it looks.  

Insights for coaches and officials 

We know that sometimes people will come to sport already with a poor relationship with body image. But coaches and officials can create environments that help women and girls feel more positive about their bodies. Creating inclusive spaces where all body types and abilities are valued is important. This includes focusing on what bodies can do – praising effort, strength and skill over appearance. It’s also important to model healthy attitudes and self-respect, and to avoid commenting on size, weight or looks. Other ways you can support positive body image are: 

• Coaches – focus on social connections and recognise the importance of positive peer relationships and communities. Support participants to learn about the power of their body beyond physical appearance. Showcase role models of different shapes, sizes and ethnic backgrounds, and challenge harmful societal norms or expectations.  
• Officials – focus on the idea of moving for joy, while still facilitating competition, order and structure for participants. Support fair environments by encouraging policies and expectations that value performance, integrity and respect over looks or body shape and size. Recognise and adapt rules, uniforms or expectations that might favour certain body types or make others feel uncomfortable. 

Source articles:  

How can we help you? A global investigation into girls’ body image experiences in sport and intervention preferences | Body Image, opens in a new tab  

“I’ll never sacrifice my well-being again:” The journey from negative to positive body image among women who perceive their body to deviate from societal norms | Body Image 

Facts and figures:  

BodyKind Youth Survey 2024 | Butterfly Foundation, opens in a new tab 

Body image fact sheet | Be You and Beyond Blue, opens in a new tab