Central YMCA is leading the
way in the fi tness industry, with a bold campaign that challenges
gyms to appeal to all body types
“RESEARCH SHOWS NINE OUT
OF 10 WOMEN OVER 30 BATTLE WITH BODY CONFIDENCE”
reported that around 250,000 people could be using steroids, and in Central YMCA research, one in 10 young men said they would take steroids if they were unhappy about their body. EHFA was also due to release its own research into drug use in the fi tness sector as this magazine went to press.
Throwing down the gauntlet The fashion, beauty, health and fi tness industries are all being asked to be part of the solution. Steps are being taken in the right direction – Vogue has recently stated that it will not work with models who appear to have an eating disorder, for example. But there is more to be done. David Stalker, CEO of the FIA,
explains: “The fi tness sector needs to work in partnership with government, the medical community, the media and advertising industries, and the fashion and beauty industries to tackle the problem. The FIA and its members take the issue of body image very seriously and are very conscious of the negative impact that low body confi dence has on people.” Minister for Equalities Lynne
Featherstone adds: “The government has set up a nationwide campaign to boost body confi dence [see info panel 1, p50]. As part of the campaign, we are working with the fi tness industry to encourage health clubs to promote healthy bodies and realistic goal-setting. “I want the industry to play its part by
encouraging people to exercise to have fun and feel good, rather than solely because they want that perfect body. Unrealistic images of ‘perfection’ can set an impossible standard.”
The Y leads the way Many industry professionals are already on board with this socially responsible philosophy. Central YMCA is a proactive campaigner within its own facility,
june 2012 © cybertrek 2012
promoting body confi dence through its marketing. It’s also developing a qualifi cation to be delivered nationally in schools, encouraging teachers and young people to explore body image.
Central YMCA is also pushing the
agenda forward at a national level, involved in both the government’s Body Confi dence campaign and the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), for which it provides secretariat (see
info panel 2, below). As part of these efforts, in 2011 it commissioned research from COMRES to explore what MPs thought about body image. Findings included: 56 per cent of MPs would support government
facilitating a voluntary code of conduct and policies for more responsible advertising; and 40 per cent thought secondary schools should have mandatory lessons on body image.
A focus on the health benefi ts of exercise, rather than the ‘body beautiful’, might help overcome the challenges of body confi dence among older gym-goers
INFO PANEL 2: APPG A
PPGs – All Party Parliamentary Groups – are formed of MPs and peers of any political party who have a common interest. They are not part of the government, they set their own agenda, and they must contain members
from at least the three biggest political parties in the House of Commons. The APPG on Body Confi dence has completed its consultation into the causes and consequences of body image anxiety in the UK, with its report scheduled to be published this month. David Stalker, CEO of the FIA, gave evidence to the APPG in February. He explains: “I spoke about the work the FIA is doing with the Department of Health’s Responsibility Deal and its Physical Activity Network (PAN), of which the FIA’s Fred Turok is co-chair. This reinforces the partnership work the FIA does with the medical community to help people understand the health benefi ts of exercise; there have been discussions about setting up a body confi dence taskforce within PAN, which I would wholeheartedly support.”
Details:
http://lei.sr?a=o2N8z Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 51
ANDY DEAN PHOTOGRAPHY /
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
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