Sixth Report: Changing the perfect picture: an inquiry into body image
Select Committee
Women and Equalities Committee
HC 274
9 April 2021
Government response
Second Special Report: Changing the perfect picture: an inquiry into body image: Government Response to the Committee’s Sixth Report of Session 2019–21 · published 23 Jun 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
2 results
5
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 48
The current Obesity Strategy is at best ineffective and at worst perpetuating unhealthy behaviours.
Recommendation
The current Obesity Strategy is at best ineffective and at worst perpetuating unhealthy behaviours. It is likely to be dangerous for those with negative body image, including those at risk of developing eating disorders. In the short term, we have …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges concerns about calorie labelling and eating disorders, but will not scrap the policy. Instead, they have exempted schools and will allow businesses to provide calorie-free menus upon customer request, committing to a review within 5 years.
Government Equalities Office
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7
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 58
Encouraging positive body image during childhood and adolescence must be a priority.
Recommendation
Encouraging positive body image during childhood and adolescence must be a priority. We commend the Government for introducing body image into the RSHE curriculum last year and hope this creates an opportunity for schools to address the concerns young people …
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Government Response Summary
The government states the RSHE curriculum, which includes content on body image, is compulsory and will be inspected by Ofsted. They commit to undertaking quantitative and qualitative research to understand perceptions and delivery of RSHE, which will inform its impact on pupil wellbeing, but do not explicitly commit to exploring additional policy initiatives for a whole-school approach beyond the existing curriculum's support.
Government Equalities Office
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