Bodywhys launch Be Body Positive campaign

Bodywhys – the Eating Disorders Association of Ireland – today launched the ‘Be Body Positive’ Campaign, encouraging young people to get involved in promoting a positive body image amongst their peers.

The campaign, which is being launched as part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2010, is aimed at addressing an issue that young people have themselves identified as one of the biggest problems facing them.

The first step in our campaign is the launch of the Be Body Positive leaflet and poster which will be distributed in schools. The poster contains blank spaces where each person will be able to personalise it with their own Body Positive messages.

Today also marks the launch of the Be Body Positive Youth Panel which aims to engage with young people around the issue of body image and eating disorders, to ensure that their voice is being heard.

Jacinta Hastings, CEO of Bodywhys, said, “Last year a survey of Irish secondary school students showed that body image is a huge challenge for young people. Bodywhys is seeking to address this issue by launching a campaign aimed at empowering young people to promote their own ideas and challenge the unrealistic ideals that are sometimes pushed on them”

“This campaign is about letting young people know what it means to have a positive body image. This will involve working with schools, youth groups and individuals to provoke a nationwide discussion about how to Be Body Positive”.

Young people who are interested in being involved in the Be Body Positive youth panel can find out more here.