Boys' body image - Time for it to become a focal point in the classroom
Body image issues are no longer just a concern for girls. A major recent systematic review, published in Adolescent Research Review, has shed important light on how increasingly dissatisfied boys are with their appearance — and how our current interventions are falling short.
The review synthesised findings from 41 studies evaluating body image interventions for boys aged primarily between 10 and 18 years. Despite the growing need, only three studies focused exclusively on boys; most interventions were mixed-gender, raising concerns about whether they truly addressed boys’ unique needs and experiences.
Why This Matters for Educators and Coaches
According to the study, poor body image has been strongly associated with depression, anxiety, disordered eating, low self-esteem, and reduced life satisfaction. While these outcomes are well-documented in girls, boys are now increasingly vulnerable, especially as media pressures and hypermasculine ideals proliferate through social media and porn-influenced aesthetics.
Unfortunately, this review found that current interventions for boys are inconclusive in their effectiveness. The most promising strategies included:
Media literacy
Cognitive dissonance techniques
Positive body image and embodiment practices
Mindfulness and self-compassion approaches
However, most studies used inconsistent outcome measures and lacked the depth needed to tailor tools specifically for boys.
What Needs to Change
The review concludes with a call for:
Tailored, gender-specific interventions
Replication of promising studies
High-quality research design
Consistent implementation methods
Greater awareness among educators and policymakers
What this tells us is that this is an increasingly emerging mental health concern. The challenge for teachers, coaches, and youth leaders is to embed healthy body image discussions and practices into our curriculum and extracurricular spaces.
