‘It is easy to underestimate the misery it causes’: Britain’s poor body image to be investigated by government in new inquiry

Poor body image is becoming of increasing concern in today’s society, but what is to be done? Sophie Gallagher looks at a new government inquiry set up to find the answers

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“It’s all encompassing. I’m ashamed of my weight and think about it all the time. It stops me from doing things I want to do [and] holds me back from being 100 per cent me”. These are the words of an anonymous British man, 25, who took part in a recent government-commissioned survey about body image. Although his feelings on his body are strong, he is far from alone.

In fact the results of the survey found 61 per cent of adults and 66 per cent of children feel negatively about their body most of the time. And lockdown has only made things worse.

On Wednesday 23 September, the Women and Equalities Committee undertook the first evidence hearing for a new inquiry into poor body image in this country. The committee, chaired by Conservative MP Caroline Nokes, will look at what can be done - if anything - by leaders and lawmakers to change the way we feel about ourselves now, and in the future.