October Health – 2025 Report

Body image in Canada

The leading cause of body image stress in Canada at the population level is exposure to unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by media and social media platforms. These platforms often promote idealized and unattainable body types, which contribute significantly to body dissatisfaction and related stress among Canadians. In workplaces, this can affect employee self-esteem and mental health, so integrating supportive programs like October's digital group sessions on body image could be beneficial.

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Body image Prevalence
21.88%
Affected people
12,034,000

Impact on the people of Canada

Effects of High Body Image Stress on Health and Personal Lives

  • Mental Health Impact:

    • Increased risk of anxiety and depression.
    • Lower self-esteem and self-worth.
    • Greater likelihood of eating disorders.

  • Physical Health Impact:

    • Poor sleep quality.
    • Unhealthy weight control behaviors (e.g., extreme dieting, over-exercising).
    • Potential for chronic stress-related conditions.

  • Personal and Workplace Life:

    • Social withdrawal or avoidance of activities.
    • Difficulty concentrating or decreased productivity at work.
    • Strained relationships due to low self-confidence or mood changes.

For workplace support, offering digital group sessions through platforms like October can help employees manage body image stress through education, peer support, and facilitating open conversations.

Impact on the Canada Economy

Economic Effects of High Body Image Stress

  • Reduced Productivity: Employees experiencing body image stress may have lower self-esteem and concentration, leading to decreased work performance.
  • Increased Absenteeism: Mental health challenges linked to body image concerns can result in more sick days or time off.
  • Higher Healthcare Costs: Increased visits to mental health professionals and treatment for related conditions raise employer and public healthcare expenses.
  • Workplace Disengagement: Affected employees might be less engaged or motivated, impacting team dynamics and innovation.
  • Talent Retention Issues: Stress related to body image can lead to higher turnover rates as employees seek more supportive environments.

Using tools like October’s digital group sessions can help companies address body image stress proactively, improving employee well-being and mitigating economic impacts.

What can government do to assist?

Strategies a Country Can Use to Lower Body Image Stress

  1. Public Awareness Campaigns
    Promote diverse and realistic body representations through national media campaigns to challenge harmful beauty standards.

  2. Education in Schools
    Integrate body positivity and mental health education into school curricula, focusing on self-esteem and media literacy.

  3. Regulate Advertising
    Enforce guidelines on advertising and social media to reduce unrealistic or digitally altered body images.

  4. Workplace Support
    Encourage workplaces to provide mental health resources, including body image support through programs like October’s group sessions.

  5. Accessible Mental Health Services
    Increase access to counseling and support services for those suffering from body image-related stress.

  6. Community Programs
    Support local initiatives that celebrate body diversity and promote physical and mental wellbeing.

These steps combined can foster a healthier societal attitude and reduce body image stress nationally.

What can businesses do to assist their employees?

  • Promote diverse and inclusive representations of body types in company materials and communications.
  • Encourage a culture of respect and kindness, discouraging negative talk about appearance.
  • Offer mental health resources focused on self-esteem and body positivity, such as October’s digital group sessions.
  • Provide training to managers to recognize and address body image stress in the workplace.
  • Support flexible dress codes to reduce pressure on employee appearance.