Thu, 07/01/2010

The national survey, conducted by Mission Australia, tested the views of close to 48,000 young people – its biggest group since the survey began in 2002 – between the ages of 11-24 (97.9 per cent aged 11-19).

The findings included:

  • For 15-19 year olds, body image was the major issue at 27.4 per cent, while for 20-24 year olds depression (30.5) and coping with stress (30.2) were at the top of the list.
  • The survey noticed the issue of body image is less a personal concern and more a worry related to the unrealistic portrayal of ‘the perfect body’ in the media and elsewhere.

Mission Australia’s spokesperson, Anne Hampshire, said about body image:

“Over the last few years we’ve seen governments, welfare groups and youth agencies tackle the issue of body image in a much more concerted fashion and from this year’s survey results we think it’s beginning to have an impact,” said Ms Hampshire

“In 2007, just over 32 per cent of participants had body image top of mind compared to 25.5 this year."

For more information and a copy of the survey visit the Mission Australia website.