49: Beyond the Mirror: Understanding the Connection Between Body Image and Disordered Eating with Dr Zali Yager

From social media to diet and gym culture, messages about our bodies and the pressure to look a certain way are everywhere. Over time, these influences can shape how we see ourselves, how we eat and exercise, and even the messages we pass on to the next generation.

In today’s webinar, we break down why body dissatisfaction is so common, where it comes from, and its connection with self-esteem, mental health and disordered eating.

We will explore when seemingly healthy behaviours can become restrictive or obsessive, and the signs that someone may be struggling with an eating disorder. We’ll also look at how parents, schools and sporting communities can help young people develop a healthier relationship with food and their bodies and determine which prevention programs work, and which don’t.

Dr Zali's Biography:

Our guest today is Dr Zali Yager. An internationally recognised body image researcher with two decades of expertise in body image, eating disorder prevention and health education. She is an author and Co-Executive Director of The Embrace Collective, which she co-founded alongside 2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt.

Dr Yager has helped develop and deliver evidence-based body image programs and resources reaching more than one million Australian children. She has taken her mission to prime ministers, professors and presidents, from Parliament House in Australia to the White House in the USA and has advised organisations including the AFL.

00:00 – Introduction 02:30 – Why Zali became a body image researcher 03:30 – Examples of disordered eating behaviours 04:10 – What body image means 05:45 – When healthy habits become compulsive or rigid behaviours 08:15 – What healthy eating actually means 09:30 – How someone develops a negative body image 10:55 – How children as young as three learn what the ‘right’ body looks like 11:55 – When children begin comparing their bodies with others 12:15 – Body dissatisfaction in boys and men 13:20 – How men and women experience body image pressures differently 14:10 – The origins of the body positivity movement 15:30 – Why weight-focused health promotion has backfired 16:50 – Body appreciation vs body positivity 17:20 – Why strength-based health promotion is more effective than fear or shame 18:40 – The factors that influence our eating habits beyond personal choice 19:00 – What an eating disorder-safe approach means 19:50 – Why choosing food and movement based on enjoyment can be more sustainable 20:35 – The difference between eating disorders and disordered eating 21:55 – Signs you may need additional support for disordered eating behaviours 23:50 – What to do when your child tells you they are fat 25:10 – What children are really asking when they ask if they are fat 27:20 – Why saying ‘you’re not fat’ may not be the best response – and what to say instead 29:00 – Supporting your child when you have your own body image struggles 30:10 – Why returning to work can be a particularly difficult time for new mothers’ body image 32:40 – The role of workplaces in eating disorder prevention 35:00 – Practical things employers can do to support positive body image 37:40 – Can appearance-based compliments in the workplace do more harm than good? 41:25 – Should we raise concerns about someone’s weight with them? 43:50 – Why teaching BMI in schools doesn’t prevent eating disorders 45:25 – Which school-based prevention programs do work? 46:15 – The genetic component of eating disorders 48:00 – Counteracting the impact of social media on eating disorder risk 51:35 – Why educating young people about eating disorders isn’t enough to prevent them 53:50 – Where to find evidence-based eating disorder prevention resources in Australia 55:40 – Where to get help if you think you may have an eating disorder 57:30 – How body dissatisfaction can lead to negative health outcomes 59:35 – Zali’s personal wellbeing practice

Learn more about Dr Yager https://www.bodyimagemovement.com/changemaker/dr-zali