October Health – 2025 Report

Body image in United Kingdom

The leading cause of body image stress in the United Kingdom population is the influence of media and social media. Unrealistic beauty standards, constant exposure to idealised body types, and social comparison contribute significantly to widespread body dissatisfaction and stress. In workplace settings, promoting media literacy and offering supportive resources like digital group sessions on body positivity through platforms such as October can be beneficial.

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Body image Prevalence
19.44%
Affected people
10,692,000

Impact on the people of United Kingdom

Effects of High Body Image Stress on Health and Personal Life

  1. Mental Health:

    • Increased risk of anxiety and depression.
    • Development of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.
    • Low self-esteem and poor self-worth.

  2. Physical Health:

    • Stress-related physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, fatigue).
    • Unhealthy behaviours like excessive dieting or over-exercising.
    • Possible neglect of medical care due to body dissatisfaction.

  3. Workplace Impact:

    • Decreased concentration and productivity.
    • Increased absenteeism or presenteeism.
    • Difficulty engaging in team activities or social interactions.

  4. Personal Life:

    • Strained relationships due to social withdrawal or mood swings.
    • Avoidance of social situations, affecting social support networks.
    • Reduced overall quality of life and happiness.

Support Recommendation:
Consider implementing digital group sessions and assessments via platforms like October through October to help employees identify and manage body image stress effectively. This can foster a more supportive workplace culture and enhance overall mental wellbeing.

Impact on the United Kingdom Economy

Effects of High Body Image Stress on an Economy

  1. Reduced Workforce Productivity
    Employees experiencing body image stress often face lower self-esteem and increased anxiety, leading to poor concentration, absenteeism, and decreased overall productivity.

  2. Increased Healthcare Costs
    Mental health issues related to body image stress (e.g., depression, eating disorders) contribute to higher healthcare utilization, increasing costs for employers and public health systems.

  3. Higher Employee Turnover
    Stress and dissatisfaction can drive employees to leave jobs, increasing recruitment and training costs for businesses.

  4. Workplace Discrimination and Inequality
    Body image stress can perpetuate stigma and discrimination, reducing inclusivity and limiting diverse talent retention and growth.

  5. Impact on Consumer Spending
    Negative body image may affect consumer confidence and spending patterns, harming sectors reliant on discretionary spending.

Workplace Mental Health Support Suggestion

Using platforms like Panda for group sessions addressing body image and self-esteem can help reduce body image stress among employees, boosting wellbeing and productivity.

What can government do to assist?

  • Promote Positive Media Representation: Encourage diverse and realistic portrayals of body types in advertising, TV, and social media.
  • Implement Education Programs: Introduce body positivity and media literacy in schools to build resilience against harmful stereotypes.
  • Support Workplace Wellbeing: Provide training and resources that challenge body shaming and promote inclusion.
  • Enhance Access to Mental Health Resources: Support initiatives like October's digital group sessions focused on body image and self-esteem.
  • Run Public Awareness Campaigns: Normalise conversations about body image stress and endorse self-acceptance messages nationally.

What can businesses do to assist their employees?

How Companies Can Lower Body Image Stress

  1. Promote Diversity and Inclusion

    • Showcase diverse body types in workplace communications and marketing.
    • Encourage respect for all appearances to reduce stigma.

  2. Create Positive Workplace Culture

    • Discourage and address body-shaming or appearance-based bullying.
    • Offer training sessions on unconscious bias related to appearance.

  3. Support Mental Health Initiatives

    • Provide access to mental health resources, including digital group sessions such as those offered by October.
    • Facilitate workshops focused on self-esteem and body positivity.

  4. Encourage Healthy Lifestyle, Not Appearance

    • Promote activities focusing on well-being (e.g., yoga, mindfulness) rather than weight or looks.
    • Avoid workplace challenges that focus on weight loss or physical appearance.

  5. Flexible Dress Codes

    • Allow employees to dress comfortably without strict aesthetic requirements.

Implementing these steps helps create a supportive environment reducing body image stress and improving overall employee well-being.