The impact of body image on mental and physical health

Health and Social Care Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 1 Dec 2021 Closed: 6 Feb 2023 Parliament page
MPs will examine the relationship between people’s perception of their body image and their physical and mental health. They will consider how far people’s perception of body image can hinder access to NHS services and whether NHS training and Government messaging should be altered. Learn more about our work. Read more
19 Recommendations
7 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
1 Letter
3 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
7 Feb
2023
Report published
2 Aug
2022
Report published
8 Jun
2022
Correspondence
17 May
2022
Oral evidence
17 May
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Macmillan Room, Portcullis House
26 Apr
2022
Oral evidence
26 Apr
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
8 Mar
2022
Oral evidence
8 Mar
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
17 May 2022
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Charles King, lived experience witness Dr Angela Meadows · University of Essex Gillian Keegan MP · Department for Education Helen James · Nutriri Tam Fry · National Obesity Forum Zoe Seager · Department of Health and Social Care
26 Apr 2022
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Ashton Collins · Save Face Kim Booker, lived experience witness Lucy Thorpe · Mental Health Foundation Malcolm Phillips · Advertising Standards Authority Professor David Sines · Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners - The JCCP Professor James McVeigh · Manchester Metropolitan University Professor Jean McHale · University of Birmingham
8 Mar 2022
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Alex Light, Journalist and Influencer Dr Georgina Krebs · University College London Dr Stuart Flint · University of Leeds James Brittain-McVey, Lead Guitarist in the Vamps and Campaigner Nyome Nicholas-Williams, Model and Activist Professor Heather Widdows · University of Birmingham Professor Sandeep Ranote · Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - The impact of body image on mental and physical … HC 114 2 Aug 2022 26 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
Clear
5 Recommendation Rejected
Second Report - The impact of body…
Review training for Mental Health Practitioners to include early signs of conditions related to body image.
We commend the Government’s work to date to introduce Education Mental Health Practitioners within school-based Mental Health Support Teams across the country, as well as the commitment to have a Mental Health Lead teacher in schools. We recommend that the … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected reviewing EMHP training to include spotting early signs of body image issues, believing current arrangements are fit for purpose. It provided an update on the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs), with over 500 planned by 2024 covering 36% of pupils, but did not set a timeframe for establishing them in every school, stating future plans will be set out in due course.
Department of Health and Social Care
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6 Conclusion Rejected
Second Report - The impact of body…
Coordinated approach essential to understand and tackle the growing issue of eating disorders.
While we commend the funding set aside for eating disorders to date and the actions taken by the Government so far, we are now of the opinion that a more co- ordinated approach is essential to properly understand and tackle this growing issue
Government Response
The government rejected publishing a separate national eating disorder strategy, stating that eating disorders will be considered as part of a broader major conditions strategy under development. It noted NHS England's £54 million investment to expand eating disorder services for children and young people and the refreshing of guidance to improve early identification and integrated support.
Department of Health and Social Care
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23 Recommendation Rejected
Second Report - The impact of body…
Review dermal filler licensing to make them prescription-only substances, like Botox.
We recommend that the Department review the licencing of dermal fillers to be prescription-only substances, in line with Botox, in order to provide more protection for people undertaking procedures involving dermal fillers.
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to make dermal fillers prescription-only, stating there are no current plans to do so because they are classified as medical devices rather than medicinal products like Botox. However, they note that the MHRA intends to introduce more stringent rules for dermal fillers under UK medical device regulations.
Department of Health and Social Care
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26 Recommendation Rejected
Second Report - The impact of body…
Mandate display of kitemark and warning logo on all non-surgical cosmetic procedure advertisements.
We recommend that the new licensing regime should include the requirement to display a kitemark and a warning logo on any advertisement for treatments that fall within the regime’s scope. (Paragraph 129) 38 The impact of body image on mental … Read more
Government Response
The government implicitly rejects the recommendation for a kitemark and warning logo, citing existing robust regulations for cosmetic surgery advertisements (e.g., ban on targeting under-18s) and explaining that a BSI Kitemark is not a prescribed requirement for medical devices, which follow CE or UKCA marking.
Department of Health and Social Care
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Government Response AI assessment · 26 of 19 classified
Accepted 6
Acknowledged 6
Deferred 10
Rejected 4
Total 19 recs + 7 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
8 Jun 2022 Correspondence from the Minister of State for Care and Mental Health following up from the evidence session on The impact of body image on mental and physical health on 17 May 2022
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