Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt says body image issues worse than ever

A body positivity activist has called on influencers to stop altering their pictures to help reduce record rates of eating disorders among young Australians.

Influencers should be careful to avoid airbrushing their pictures online given the record rates of eating disorders and body distress affecting millions of young people, Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt says.

The best-selling author, writer and body campaigner said rates of eating disorders among teenagers had doubled over the past two years and called for action in a speech to the National Press Club.

“Aussie kids have never been in as much body image distress as they are now,” the mother of three said.

“We are experiencing a pediatric health emergency – 77 per cent of Australian adolescents experience body image distress, which is actually higher than the global average.

“Rates of suicide, depression, anxiety, eating disorders and steroid use related to body dissatisfaction are soaring – we know that young people with poor body image are 24 times more likely to develop depression and anxiety.”

Writer and motivational speaker Taryn Brumfitt founded The Body Image Movement in 2012. Picture: Martin Ollman/NCA NewsWire

While social media is not entirely to blame for the epidemic of body image distress, Ms Brumfitt said over-altered images, weight-loss content and appearance commentary has had a devastating impact on the lives of young people.

She said given that online imaged-based apps like Instagram wouldn’t go away anytime soon, it was important to instead promote an empowered approach to social media.

“Many of us had body image issues long before (Facebook co-founder) Zuckerberg and influencer culture were even born, let alone smartphones,” she said.

“Just like in real life, let’s be discerning about who you let in the door, use your power to support the things that help us feel good and unfollow the things that don’t.”

The 45-year-old amassed a large online following after she posted a viral ‘before and after’ picture in 2012. Picture: Supplied

Ms Brumfitt, who was named Australian of the Year 2023 by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for her advocacy work in the body positivity space, issued a “plea to the nation” to help dismantle dangerous beauty standards.

She said everyone in the community had a crucial responsibility to ensure children weren’t being bullied and shamed into hating their bodies.

“Influencers, media personalities, talent – educate yourselves on how you are contributing, put a Photoshop policy in place that your images can’t be airbrushed or altered, let your audience see the real you,” she said.

“Crucially, journalists and media folks – let’s show images of people that are as diverse in appearance as we see in the world.

“Finally, and most importantly, to each of us as human beings with bodies – know that it’s not your life’s purpose to be at war with your body.”