2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt has raised concerns over the “alarming” number of Australian adolescents experiencing body image distress.
Ms Brumfitt noted 77 per cent of young Australians struggle with their body image.
“We know of that group that they are 24 more times more likely to be depressed or have anxiety,” she told Sky News Australia.
She pointed out that on the “flip side” those with a higher appreciation of their body are more likely to be active and eat healthily.
“They’re less likely as adolescents to smoke, drink, take illicit drugs and vape – so we’ve got all the evidence that suggests that we really must focus on making people feel good about their bodies and not bad about their bodies.”
(9 NEWS)
