Body Image Coalition of Peel

Every BODY Is A Somebody: FACILITATOR'S GUIDE

Our society is obsessed with thinness. We are bombarded daily with unrealistic beliefs that thinness is healthy, easily achieved and attainable by all. In the Region of Peel, this obsession has resulted in widespread body image dissatisfaction among teenage girls. A study by Dr. McVey¹ of 400 Peel Region grade 7 and 8 girls showed that 60% were dieting to lose weight. Other surveys conducted with North American teens show similar if not a higher prevalence of body dissatisfaction and dieting. For some, body image dissatisfaction leads to severe eating problems.

In an effort to change attitudes and reduce the risk of eating disorders, the Body Image Coalition of Peel developed a manual designed to promote healthy body image, positive self-esteem, and a non-dieting approach to eating. This active learning program provides background information for the facilitator and activities to be used with adolescents on the following topics:

Media, Family and Friends
Self-Esteem and Body Image
Set-Point: The Body's Resistance to Dieting
Healthy Eating and An Active Lifestyles
Stress Management Skills
Relationship Skills

The manual was written by members of the Body Image Coalition of Peel. The Coalition, which includes a variety of professionals and community members interested in body image issues, has a mission to raise awareness and understanding of body image issues and eating disorders in Peel.

The Coalition was able to distribute copies of the manual to Region of Peel schools thanks to funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health, the Health Promotion Grants Program and OSSTF District 10 Peel, Excellence in Education Committee. The French version, Bien dans TA peau, was funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

The effectiveness of this program has been evaluated with middle school girls using a classroom format² and a nurse-led peer support format³, and has been shown to improve global self-esteem, body satisfaction, and eating attitudes and behaviours.

¹ McVey.G., Pepler, D., Davis, R., Flett, G., and Abdolell, M. (2002). Risk and protective factors associated with disordered eating during early adolescence. Journal of Early Adolescence, 22:76-96.
² McVey, G.L., Davis, R., Tweed, S., & Shaw, B.F. (2004) Evaluation of a school-based program designed to improve body image satisfaction and global self-esteem and eating attitudes and behaviours: A replication study. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 36,1-11.
³ McVey, G.L., Lieberman, M., Voorberg, N., Wardrope, D., & Blackmore, E. (2003). School-based peer support groups: A new approach to the prevention of eating disorders. Eating Disorders: Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 11(8), 169-186.