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Butterfly Foundation

Prevention Partner

Group of families standing on the beach front looking at the sunset
Group of families standing on the beach front looking at the sunset

Funding

$161,000

Dates

April 2022 - May 2024

Funding

$161,000

Dates

April 2022 - May 2024

Body Kind Youth Survey

The issue

Eating Disorders are one of the top ten causes of non-fatal disease in adolescent and adult women and are estimated to affect around one million Australians every year. Concerningly, a recent literature review by Butterfly Foundation found that rates of eating disorders had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among adolescents. While many eating disorders begin in adolescence, there was no national data that represents the body image experiences of young people aged between 12-18 years, until The Butterfly Foundation’s inaugural Body Kind Youth survey in 2022. 

Key findings from the survey included: 

  • Nearly half (45%) of young people are dissatisfied with how their body looks; 

  • Nearly 70% of young people said they had experienced appearance-related teasing, with 73% of these saying they'd experienced it at school; 

  • Nearly two-thirds of young people say their body image stops them from doing physical activities.   

90% of teenagers reported having some level of body image concern, with one in three (38%) being very or extremely concerned. Females, gender diverse youth and those in the LGBTQIA+ community reported the highest levels of body dissatisfaction.   Find out more about the survey findings here.

The project

For a second year, the Body Kind Youth Survey is helping to fill the gap in understanding the true nature of body image among young Australians, and will provide relevant data as well as deeper insight into the body image experiences of youth aged 12-18 years. It will also allow young Australians to share their experiences of body image and voice their ideas on the kind of support Australia can provide to help encourage body positivity and kindness.

The impact

The Body Kind Youth Survey is creating an ongoing annual dataset highlighting the current and changing prevalence of body image concerns and related issues for Australia's youth. The findings from the survey help Butterfly Foundation to further develop its prevention programs and resources to better support both youth and their families. In the longer term, the data will help to inform key insights into youth body image for researchers, policymakers and education, youth, and mental health service providers.

Ultimately, Butterfly Foundation hopes that, with more accurate data, they can advocate for greater support for prevention and early intervention work and resourcing. This will help to address the increasing issues of body dissatisfaction, disordered eating and eating disorders in young Australians.


Past project

Body Kind Families program

Funding

$40,000

Dates

November 2020 - December 2021

Funding

$40,000

Dates

November 2020 - December 2021

The issue

Eating disorders impact around one million Australians and have one of the highest impacts on quality of life out of all psychiatric disorders and are associated with high levels of psychological distress, medical complications as well as premature death and suicide.

Pre-COVID-19 the burden of disease associated with eating disorders was projected to cost the country approximately $70 billion. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, more and more people impacted by eating disorders and negative body image are needing support, with demand for Butterfly Foundation’s National Helpline webchat service increasing by 120%.

The project

The Butterfly Foundation ran their , which allowed them to build upon their existing Love Your Body Week for Schools initiative which encourages positive behaviour changes within a school setting.
The Body Kind Families went beyond the school setting, providing evidence-informed information, resources and seminars to empower parents to create a home environment that supports positive body image and healthy behaviours.

The impact

The development of an eating disorder is influenced by a variety of risk factors, including genetics, psychology and socio-cultural influences, like media messaging and the family environment. Body dissatisfaction is one of the strongest modifiable risk factors associated with an eating disorder.

Through the Body Kind Families program, the Butterfly Foundation aims to:

  • Equip parents with knowledge of the risk and protective factors of body dissatisfaction and the links between poor body image, dieting and eating disorders;

  • Support parents to create a positive home environment for a young person to develop a healthy body image and healthy eating habits; and

  • Build awareness of early warning signs of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating and learn the skills to respond effectively.

Learn more

Looking to learn more about Butterfly Foundation?

Check out Butterfly Foundation's website to find out more.