Body Confident Schools: Information & strategies for teachers
The Butterfly Foundation
Butterfly Is Australia’s largest charity supporting people with negative body image, disordered eating and eating disorders. Butterfly’s key areas are; support services, advocacy and awareness, education (prevention and early intervention) and fundraising.
BODY ESTEEM relates to the thoughts, feelings and attitudes a person has to their physical self. It is unrealistic to think that we can feel positive about our self or body 100% of the time. However, how long a person experiences poor body esteem and how they respond to it that is what can be problematic. Both males and females have body esteem so it is important to address the issue with all genders.
THE EATING AND BODY IMAGE SPECTRUM
Whilst eating disorders are complex in their development, this graphic demonstrates the pathway from healthy eating and behaviours to disordered eating and eating disorders.
**This graphic has been taken from The Butterfly Foundation ‘Free to BE – A Body Esteem Resource’.
AIMS OF BODY ESTEEM EDUCATION
To address modifiable risk factors:
- Thin ideal internalisation
- Body dissatisfaction
- Peer pressure, bullying and fat talk
- Perfectionism
To increase protective factors:
- Social support
- Self esteem
- Non-competitive physical activity
- Healthy eating behaviours and attitudes
- Respect for diversity
Body Confident Schools: Information & strategies for teachers
EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS
What works in Secondary Schools? A systematic review of classroom-based body image programs (Yager, 2013).
- Target younger adolescents – 12-13 years
- Include media literacy, self esteem and peer-focused content
- Multi-session
MULTI VS SINGLE SESSION: Acknowledgment of time restrictions for many organisations/schools but that body esteem education fits in really well with other areas of wellbeing and the benefit of connecting those areas.
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES & INFORMATION TO SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY Body Esteem Education
- Dove Self Esteem Project (to access Confident Me) – selfesteem.mydove.com.au
- Eating Disorders in Schools (PDF) – nedc.com.au > teachers/schools
- Esafety – esafety.gov.au
- Free to BE – A Body Esteem Resource for Years 3-12 Available: thebutterflyfoundation.org.au > shop > Butterfly Resources
- NEDC – National Eating Disorder Collaboration – nedc.com.au
Eating Disorder support
- QLD services – Eating Disorders Association (EDA) – 07 3394 3661 – admin@eda.org.au
- WA services – Eating Disorders Program, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children
Contact Uli O’Sullivan for local PD opportunities – 08 9340 7012 – Ulrike.O’sullivan@health.wa.gov.au
- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Educator Tool Kit – nationaleatingdisorders.org > find help & support > NEDA toolkits
- NEDC Carer Resource (supporting yourself and others) – nedc.com.au > friends/families/carers
For young people to access age appropriate information about eating disorders and support eatingdisordersinfo.org.au
BUTTERFLY EDUCATION CONTACT DETAILS
For support implementing prevention focused programs or initiatives contact education@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au
The Butterfly National Help Line
Butterfly provides support for all people affected by an eating disorder and body image concerns. Our National ED HOPE Service is available over the phone, via email and online.
If are concerned about a student, require more information, guidance, referral support please call the national Help Line on 1800 ED HOPE / 1800 33 4673 or email support@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au to speak to a counsellor.
The National ED HOPE Service is available 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday (AEST & public holidays excluded).
