30/09/2026
💡 Exploring the Feasibility and Acceptability of an Age-Adapted Body Project for Younger Pupils
👉️ As an Impact Fellowship at the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East of England, Claire Hodgson is undertaking research on adapting the Body Project for a younger age group.
🌻 Body image begins developing in early childhood, shaped by relationships, cultural norms, gender, sexuality, and language. More than physical appearance; it involves cognitive and emotional perceptions of one's body. Prepubertal body dissatisfaction is increasingly common due to early media exposure and societal appearance pressures. 40–50% of children aged 6–12 express dissatisfaction with their body size or shape, a vulnerability that intensifies during puberty. Body dissatisfaction links to numerous adverse health outcomes, including low self-esteem, poor decision-making, reduced physical activity, and higher risk-taking behaviours such as smoking and alcohol consumption. It significantly elevates the risk for mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
While various initiatives target body dissatisfaction, "The Body Project" remains the most effective; it is the only program proven to improve mood and achieve a 60% reduction in eating disorder incidence over a three-year follow-up period, reaching over 4.5 million people across 136 countries. Its limitation is that it targets individuals aged 13–25.
Claire is looking to speak with;
- Parents of Year 6 and 7 girls,
- Teachers of Year 6 and 7 girls
- Year 7 girls
To research the applicability and feasibility of delivering The Body Project to Year 6 pupils with the aim of identifying an intervention to be piloted. If you are interested in getting involved please use the following links, scan the QR code on the posters or contact Claire on [email protected].
