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Body Image at School Classroom

Home...SchoolsSchool and Classroom SupportsBody Image at School Classroom
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Body image is how an individual feels about their body. Having a healthy body image means an individual accepts what they look like without trying to change their body based on what they or others think they should look like.

The Ontario Community Outreach Program for Eating Disorders gives an overview of how schools can effectively address disordered eating by adopting comprehensive, school-wide approaches including: 

  1. “adult influencer training with a focus on self-reflection of personal attitudes towards food, weight and shape, as well as weight bias and weight science literacy
  2. individual skill building including media literacy to help ward off pressures to conform to appearance ideals
  3. ways to create supportive environments, free of weight-based bullying”

Many children and youth struggle with their body image because of factors like social media, other types of media, societal expectations, peer pressure, and bullying.

The school environment plays a large role in youth learning more about themselves as well as their development. School can provide students with a sense of belonging and access to supportive relationships with trusted adults, which are both protective factors for resilience in youth. 

Research shows that teaching students about eating disorders is not effective in changing their eating behaviours and can be harmful as it glamorizes certain concerning eating behaviours.

Classroom Resources 

Lesson Plans by Grade

Respecting Visible and Invisible Differences - OPHEA Lesson Plans

Resources by Grade

Grades 4 - 8

Beyond Images (English) and Au-dela de l’Image (Français): National Eating Disorder Information Centre

Confident Me (English) and J’ai confiance (Français): Ophea and Dove;  (requires you to make an Ophea account). Some of the resources can also be accessed from the Dove Website without an Ophea account. 

Grades 8 - 12

Media Smarts; The Price of Happiness (English) and Le prix du bonheur (Français):

Reducing Weight Bias

Body Confidence for Teens

Body Positivity Resources

Activities by Grade

Healthy Body activities broken down by grade.  From PHE

Caregiver Resources

Parenting in Ottawa offers information and tips for how to support a positive body image and self-esteem with their children.

Media Smarts offers tips for how to talk to children about media and body image. 

For additional information related to body image, please visit our school-focused pages on mental health, sexual health, and healthy eating.

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Can’t find what you are looking for?  Reach out to the Healthy Schools Team at healthy.schools@healthunit.ca or 1-800-563-2808 ext 5231

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