Labor’s $3.6m for Taryn Brumfitt’s Embrace Kids Australia project tackling eating disorders, body image issues

Anthony Albanese has made a multimillion dollar promise to help body image activist and mum Taryn Brumfitt help save more Aussie kids from eating disorders.

Exclusive: Aussie kids will be given greater tools to tackle body images issues and live healthier lives under a $3.6m Albanese government election pledge.

Social media and the Covid pandemic have driven an alarming surge in young people having negative feelings about their physical appearance – with the problem only worsening.

If re-elected, Labor will invest $3.6m in the next phase of 2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt’s Embrace Kids Australia project over the next two years.

The funding builds on an initial $6.2m federal investment to develop the educational program. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

Health Minister Mark Butler said the program would give children, parents, carers, teachers and coaches the tools to combat body image and body shaming issues before they arise.

“Any parent with young children or teenagers knows just how much their kids are bombarded with images and expectations of bodies and the way that can impact how their child feels about themselves,” Mr Butler said.

Taryn Brumfitt, Australian of the Year in 2023, launched a national program to help preschoolers from developing body image issues later in life. Picture: Supplied

“Teaching kids to celebrate how amazing their bodies are is a powerful way to dispel some of the negative, harmful body image messages out there.”

The funding builds on an initial $6.2m federal investment to develop the educational program.

It will also expand its reach to one million kids each year through early childcare, preschool, primary and high schools, sporting clubs and community events.

Ms Brumfitt welcomed the announcement, saying 90 per cent of young people agreed to accept themselves for who they were after going through the program.

“The research demonstrates a huge increase in body appreciation, self-acceptance and self-compassion in young people,” she said.

Originally published as Labor’s $3.6m for Taryn Brumfitt’s Embrace Kids Australia project tackling eating disorders, body image issues