October Health – 2025 Report

Body image in Zimbabwe

The leading cause of body image stress in Zimbabwe is largely influenced by societal and cultural norms, including the pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards which often emphasize certain body shapes and sizes. Media portrayal of idealized beauty, both local and international, also plays a significant role in shaping perceptions and generating stress about body image across the population. Economic hardships can exacerbate these stresses as they limit access to healthy lifestyle options. In workplace settings, promoting awareness and supportive interventions, such as group sessions on body positivity and self-esteem provided by platforms like October, can help alleviate this stress.

← back to the Report
Body image Prevalence
20.23%
Affected people
11,126,500

Impact on the people of Zimbabwe

Effects of High Body Image Stress on Health and Personal Lives

  • Mental Health:

    • Increased risk of anxiety and depression
    • Low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy
    • Development of eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia

  • Physical Health:

    • Stress-related symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, or digestive issues
    • Poor nutrition or unhealthy dieting habits
    • Sleep disturbances

  • Personal Life and Workplace:

    • Social withdrawal and difficulty forming or maintaining relationships
    • Reduced productivity and concentration at work
    • Increased absenteeism due to mental or physical health problems
    • Lower overall job satisfaction and motivation

Using digital group sessions and assessments, such as those offered by October, can help employees address body image issues and improve workplace mental health support.

Impact on the Zimbabwe Economy

  • Reduced Productivity: Employees suffering from body image stress may experience low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, leading to decreased focus and work performance.
  • Increased Absenteeism: Mental health challenges related to body image can cause more sick days or withdrawal from work.
  • Higher Healthcare Costs: Employers and the economy bear the costs of mental health treatment and associated physical health issues.
  • Lower Workforce Participation: Those severely affected might leave the workforce or delay entering, reducing labor supply.
  • Decreased Consumer Confidence: Body image stress can reduce individuals' engagement in social and economic activities, impacting market dynamics.

Supporting employees with resources like October’s digital group sessions can help mitigate these effects by promoting mental well-being and resilience in the workplace.

What can government do to assist?

Strategies for a Country to Lower Body Image Stress

  1. Promote Positive Media Representation
    Encourage diverse and realistic portrayals of body types in media, advertising, and entertainment.

  2. Implement Educational Programs
    Introduce body positivity and mental health awareness in school curriculums to foster self-acceptance from an early age.

  3. Support Workplace Mental Health Initiatives
    Encourage companies to provide mental health resources focused on body image, such as workshops or digital sessions like those offered by October.

  4. Regulate Advertising
    Establish guidelines to reduce the use of heavily edited or unrealistic images in advertisements.

  5. Community Engagement
    Promote community campaigns and events that celebrate body diversity and self-esteem.

These steps collectively create an environment that reduces body image stress, enhancing overall mental wellbeing.

What can businesses do to assist their employees? 

 How a Company Can Lower Body Image Stress

1. **Promote Body Positivity Culture:** Encourage acceptance and respect for all body types through company policies and internal communications.
2. **Challenge Unrealistic Beauty Standards:** Avoid endorsing or promoting marketing or internal imagery that reinforces narrow beauty ideals.
3. **Offer Mental Health Support:** Provide access to counseling or digital group sessions focused on body image and self-esteem (e.g., October's group sessions).
4. **Encourage Healthy Work-Life Balance:** Support physical and mental well-being without pressuring employees to conform to certain physical appearances.
5. **Provide Diversity and Inclusion Training:** Educate managers and employees on body diversity and the psychological impact of body image stress.

Implementing these actions helps create a supportive workplace environment where employees feel valued beyond their appearance.