Once again, the Mission Australia Survey of Australian Young People has shown that body image is a major cause of concern for young people. Amongst females it was the highest concern, reflecting our society’s extreme emphasis on physical attractiveness defined by the media, fashion and entertainment industries.

It’s an indication that marketing, advertising and consumerism continue to be a dominant shaping force on the psyche of our young people.

Young women registered their highest concern about body image since the question was first asked in 2006, calling into question the effectiveness of recent government campaigns.

via School, body image main worries for young: survey.

Maggie Hamilton, Melinda Tankard Reist and Dr Rick Kausman will examine this issue and the various social forces that underpin it at our 2012 Generation Next Mental Health and Wellbeing of Young People seminars. They are excellent speakers who have developed uniquely powerful perspectives on how commerce, fashion and the media have become toxic influences on the mental health of Australian young people. Unmissable!