Body Image:
A key issue for teenagers
Less than half of adolescents in Ireland are satisfied with their bodies and recently there has been a rise in eating disorders among adolescents in Ireland (Dooley et al., 2019; Barret & Richardson 2020).
There is a pressing need for a schools-based body image programme for adolescents aged 15-17 years, but there are currently no evidence-based body image programmes for this age group in Ireland.
What is BodyKind?
About Us
BodyKind is a four-session, teacher-led, schools-based programme for adolescents in Transition Year aged 15-17 years.
BodyKind was developed by a team of international experts working in the field of body image for the past 15 years. Bodykind includes evidence-based tangible tools that help young people become change agents and build a healthier body image.
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Self-compassion
Curriculum Outline
1. Challenging appearance bias
Students learn about appearance bias (when people are treated differently based on appearance) and the value of celebrating diversity. They build skills for body confidence through challenging costs of achieving body ideals and appreciating what their bodies can do for them.
2. Self-compassion, comparisons & social media
Students learn how to apply self-compassion to help them effectively cope with the negative comparisons that they make with others in life and on social media. Experiential exercises help students reframe self-critical thoughts into more self-compassionate, helpful thoughts.
Hover to see BodyKind contents
3. Compassion for others
Students learn how to apply compassion to others, move away from 'body talk' and reflect on thoughts, feelings and actions that can build a kinder body image environment for everyone.
4. Becoming agents for change
Students learn skills that help them become change agents. They learn how to create their own roadmap for taking an idea from an issue to action and are empowered to create an action plan to address a body image issue of concern to them.
Learning Objectives
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To cultivate skills in awareness, mindfulness, non-judgement, reflection, conscientiousness, compassion
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To foster emotional regulation and critical thinking skills to promote positive body image among adolescents.
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To tackle appearance biases, discrimination and racism and promote greater inclusivity
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To decrease levels of body dissatisfaction and self-criticism
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To improve levels of self-compassion, positive body image, psychological wellbeing
Four 50 minute lesson plans
Training resources for teachers
Classroom slides
In class activities
Worksheets
Interactive content
Click here for more information about BodyKind
Educational Benefits
BodyKind fulfils SEL and CASEL learning objectives and aligns with the Department of Education and Skills’ Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice, as it is an evidence-informed approach for supporting young people’s wellbeing and can be implemented as part of the School Self-Evaluation (SSE) process.
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Specifically, BodyKind fosters emotion regulation, which has been recommended by the Department of Education and Skills as the key facet of mental health to be nurtured in students to facilitate their wellbeing and learning.
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BodyKind has been tested with adolescents, teachers and clinicians in Ireland to ensure its suitability for schools in Ireland.
"Thank you for this curriculum…I hope you guys know that what you are doing is changing people’s life"
Student in High School USA, Pilot Research Trial, 2022
How to get the BodyKind curriculum
BodyKind is available on limited release for schools who are willing to take part in a research study.
This research is being conducted by researchers at University College Dublin and Jigsaw, The National Centre for Youth Mental Health and is funded by the Irish Research Council.
More info. below
What is the research study?
We want to evaluate the BodyKind programme in schools in Ireland in September 2023.
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In brief, this would involve....
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For students:
Students would complete questionnaires before, after and 2 months after, completing the BodyKind programme.
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For teachers:
Teachers would receive free training and access to BodyKind materials (valued at €1500), deliver the programme to students at their school and complete a few questions about their experience teaching the programme.
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For schools:
Schools hosting the study would share study information with parents and collect parental consent
and organise school timetable to allow for data collection & delivery of the programme.
Schools receive a financial honorarium of €200 for taking part.
Suitable for Transition Year Students
Study runs from Sept 2023 - April 24
Teachers to complete 2.5 hour free training session delivered in August & evenings/weekends throughout year to suit availability
All Post-Primary Schools welcome to take part
Scheduled around school timetable
Randomised control trial: schools assigned to either immediate start & waitlist group (both receive the curriculum)
Meet the Research Team
Primary Researcher
Postdoctoral Researcher,
University College Dublin
Associate Professor,
University College Dublin
Research & Evaluation Manager,
Jigsaw, The National Centre for Youth Mental Health
And the extended team...
CEO Be Real Foundation USA, BodyKind curriculum writer
CEO Embrace Collective & Associate Professor, Victoria University, Australia
Associate Professor, University of North Carolina & Charlotte (UNC Charlotte, USA)
Our collaborators
