Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week is an opportunity to challenge the way we think and talk about bodies, food and appearance and to recognise that body image concerns and eating disorders can affect people of all ages, genders, body sizes and backgrounds.

Body image is about more than appearance. It can influence how we feel about ourselves, our confidence and our ability to participate fully in everyday life. For some, these concerns can become distressing and contribute to disordered eating or an eating disorder.

In Australia, more than 1.1 million people are currently living with an eating disorder with estimates of 2,754, 446 Australians experiencing an eating disorder at any time within their life (Deloitte Access Economics, 2024). Countless others experience body dissatisfaction or difficulties with their relationship with food and their bodies. Yet fewer than a third of people living with an eating disorder receive treatment or support (Butterfly Foundation, 2025).

Body Image

Body dissatisfaction can occur at any age. Young people may experience pressure around appearance, while adults can face changing expectations related to weight, fitness, ageing, pregnancy or parenthood. Older adults may experience changes to their bodies and abilities that affect how they see themselves.

Research shows that around 90% of teenagers experience some level of body image concern, with 38% reporting that they are very or extremely concerned (Butterfly Foundation, 2025). Social media can contribute to these pressures, with 57.2% of young people aged 12–18 saying it makes them feel dissatisfied with their bodies (Butterfly Foundation, 2025). But body image is shaped by many influences, including family, peers, culture, advertising, health messages and personal experiences.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions, not simply issues related to food, weight or appearance. They can relate to anxiety, perfectionism, self-worth, trauma, neurodivergence, stress and a range of social and cultural factors. Importantly, eating disorders can affect people at any weight, and someone who is struggling may not show obvious signs. This is why effective support needs to look at the whole person, rather than focusing solely on food or weight.

Creating safer conversations

For many people, asking for help can be difficult.

Shame, fear of judgement or the belief that their experience isn't "serious enough" can prevent people from reaching out.

You can help by listening without judgement, taking concerns seriously and avoiding assumptions based on appearance. The language we use matters too. Challenging casual conversations about weight, dieting and appearance can help create environments where people feel valued for who they are not how they look.

Body kindness is something we can practise throughout our lives. It can mean giving ourselves permission to eat without guilt, wearing clothes that feel comfortable, moving our bodies in ways we enjoy, challenging negative self-talk, or stepping away from conversations that make us feel worse about ourselves.

Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a reminder that there is no single "type" of person who experiences body image concerns or an eating disorder. Let’s challenge stereotypes, have conversations without judgement, create environments where people feel safe to ask for help, and work towards a culture that values people for far more than their appearance.

Everybody is worthy of respect, care and compassion, and everyone deserves support when their relationship with food or their body becomes difficult.