Results of survey on impact of body image on mental and physical health inquiry

• Inquiry: The impact of body image on mental and physical health
• Health and Social Care Committee

A survey for the Health and Social Care Committee found that eighty percent of people who took part agreed or strongly agreed that their perception of body image had a negative impact on their mental health. On physical health, nearly two thirds agreed or strongly agreed there was a negative impact. MPs commissioned the survey to support their inquiry into the impact of body image on mental and physical health.

More than 1,500 people took part in the survey which also asked questions about body image and access to NHS services, public messaging around obesity and whether policy makers give enough attention to body image and negative health impacts.

Almost a third of those taking part had accessed or tried to access health services for issues relating to body image. Of those, sixty-four percent felt their experience was negative or strongly negative while fifty-five percent felt ‘stigmatised’ in using or attempting to use the services.

The results showed:

• 80% of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed with the statement ‘My perception of my body image has a negative impact on my mental health.’
• 61% of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed with the statement ‘'My perception of my body image has a negative impact on my physical health.’
• 71% of respondents said Yes to the question ‘Do your thoughts and feelings about your body image have a negative impact on your quality of life?’
• 31% of those who completed the survey said they had accessed, or tried to access, health services for issues relating to body image in the past.

Of these respondents:

• 64% felt their experience of accessing services was either negative or strongly negative, with only 14% saying their experience was positive or strongly positive
• 72% either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement ‘The services I received were appropriate and fully met my needs.’
• 55% either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement ‘I felt stigmatised when I accessed, or tried to access, these services.’

On obesity:

• Asked: ‘Do you think the current public health messaging on obesity and its health impacts is appropriate?’, 50% of all survey respondents answered No, with 23% answering Yes and the remaining 27% Unsure.

On government priorities:

• Asked: ‘Do you think the topic of body image and its related health impacts is receiving sufficient attention from national policymakers?’, 72% answered No with 8% answering Yes and the remaining 20% Unsure.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
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Image: PA