The Body Gossip resources are designed to help share thoughts and views on body image.
Logos
Help us promote body gossip.
Teaching resources
Our teaching resources have been produced to support anyone interested in body image. They are particularly useful for GCSE drama but can be adapted for a range of educational activities.
The resources will help you to investigate society’s views on body image, record personal feelings about body image and write a short piece of text about body image.
NB These resources have been generously compiled by the National Osteoporosis Society - they are separate to our Education Programme, Gossip School.
Body image case studies
Body image writing examples
Body Gossip competition details
Our facebook page has hundreds of people’s views on body image. Whether it’s parts of the body that people love or hate, positive messages of inspiration or celebrity views, it’s all there! Check out the photo albums to see comments left on our graffiti wall.
Film
Our YouTube page is packed with videos of people talking about body image. There are experts, psychologists, nurses and lots of views from people like you. We recorded people’s views in a diary room at the Clothes Show and everyone had something to say about body image. You can also see celebrities performing some of your stories about body image.
At the heart of many of the Body Gossip stories are sensitive and highly emotional issues. The Body Gossip writers have tackled subjects like eating disorders, body dysmorphia, osteoporosis and lack of self esteem, through their first-hand experiences. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in the Body Gossip videos or performances, then we want to offer you some support.
beat
beat is the leading UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families. beat is the working name of the Eating Disorders Association, and they continue to build on the strong foundations of the past 20 years of work.
Website: http://www.b-eat.co.uk
beat Helpline: 0845 634 1414 or help@b-eat.co.uk
beat Youthline: 0845 634 7650 fyp@b-eat.co.uk
National Osteoporosis Society
The National Osteoporosis Society is the only UK wide charity dedicated to improving the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Maintaining a low body weight is a risk factor for the fragile bone disease. Osteoporosis also causes changes to body shape.
Website: www.nos.org.uk
Helpline: 0845 450 0230
Centre for Appearance Research
CAR strives to make a real difference to the lives of the many hundreds of thousands of people with appearance-related concerns both in the United Kingdom and across the world. CAR acts as a focus and centre of excellence for psychological and interdisciplinary research in appearance, disfigurement and related studies.
Website: http://hls.uwe.ac.uk/research/car.aspx
Other organisations:
There are lots of people, as well as Body Gossip, out there who are working to change the way the pressure we feel to focus on the way we look instead of being happy with who we are. Click on the links below to find out more:
Body Gossip ambassador Shona Collin's Petition for Body Confidence to be Included in the Curriculum
Sign Gok Wan and Shona's petition.
This is Lindsey – Vision Impossible
Listen to a beautiful ballad by singer Lindsey about eating disorders and self-acceptance.
Evolve Magazine
The Evolve Magazine team have been working very hard to bring you a very stylish, sophisticated, informative, positive magazine, which we hope you will be proud of. It will consist of all the Fashion and Lifestyle elements that are missing for Plus Size women in today’s main stream magazines… Join the Evolve facebook group
Body Gossip Ambassador Chloe Marshall – Official Site
Keep up-to-date with this gorgeous model on her official website. You can see photos, read news stories and sign up to her newsletter to show your support for Chloe, as a representative for curvaceous beauty.
Crystal Renn
This amazingly beautiful lady was once pressured to lose weight from her 6 foot, 7 stone frame by the modelling industry. 3 years later, she is a size 16 and has modelled from Dolce & Gabbana, Jean Paul Gaultier and American Vogue. Read her story.
Katie Green Official Page
Katie Green was picked to model wonderbras, showcasing her perfectly proportioned size 12 curves. However, she was put under huge pressure to lose 2 stone by the modelling industry. Her response was a resounding "NO!" and she now has a community of devoted online followers. Click See her website or sign her 'say no to size 0' petition.
Cosmopolitan Love Your Body Campaign
During the past 2 years, Cosmopolitan magazine have been running a campaign that encourages women to love their body whatever their shape or size. Find out more about the campaign.
Dove Airbrushing Video
See a fantastic video which shows the extent to which airbrushed images bear very little resemblance to the original model! It's a real eye opener!
Zero is Not a Size Campaign
Created by media students at Gloucestershire College to raise awareness of unhealthy eating and eating disorders. Visit their facebook page.
