Media, Advertising and Inventing (Anna)rexia

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Media Studies
• Law and Policy

Background:

• High prevalence of poor body image and eating disorders in Australia.
• International governments (Israel, France, Norway) have enacted body image legislation.
• Australia currently relies on a voluntary advertising code with limited adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for the enactment of a comprehensive Body Image Law in Australia.
• To address the negative impact of idealized and retouched imagery on public body image.
• To propose specific legislative measures for improving body image in Australia.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of existing international body image legislation.
• Review of health evidence regarding body image.
• Proposal for a legislative framework including disclaimers, a regulatory body, and civil penalties.

Main Results:

• Current voluntary codes are insufficient to address body image concerns.
• A legislative approach offers a more effective means to regulate harmful imagery.
• Proposed law includes disclaimers for non-retouched images and a specialized government body.

Conclusions:

• Australia should implement a Body Image Law to protect public health and improve body image.
• The proposed law aims to create accountability within the advertising industry.
• This initiative represents a novel legal proposal within the Australian context.