Select Committee · Health and Social Care Committee

The impact of body image on mental and physical health

Status: Closed Opened: 1 Dec 2021 Closed: 6 Feb 2023 19 recommendations 7 conclusions 1 report

MPs will examine the relationship between people’s perception of their body image and their physical and mental health. They will consider how far people’s perception of body image can hinder access to NHS services and whether NHS training and Government messaging should be altered. Learn more about our work.

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - The impact of body image on mental and phys… HC 114 2 Aug 2022 26 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

6 items
2 Recommendation Second Report - The impact of body imag… Acknowledged

Commission and fund new research into causes of body image dissatisfaction and social media impact.

We recommend that the Department of Health and Social Care, along with the National Institute for Health Research, commission and fund new research to understand the causal pathways that are leading to a rise in body image dissatisfaction across the population and the impact of social media on body image. …

Government response. The government highlighted NIHR's significant existing mental health research funding and openness to applications on body image, noting ongoing collaborations for eating disorders research. It stated that NIHR will continue to explore ways to address the recommendation for new research …
Department of Health and Social Care
10 Recommendation Second Report - The impact of body imag… Acknowledged

Establish a national ‘Screen Cross Code’ public health campaign for children’s safe screen use.

We echo the call of our witness Professor Sandeep Ranote for the creation of a national public health strategy akin to the 1970s ‘Green Cross Code’. A ‘Screen Cross Code’ would be a nationwide public health campaign, which would use short effective messages to educate the public on best practice …

Government response. Health Education England, the General Medical Council, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council welcome the recommendation and are committed to ensuring healthcare professionals have the necessary resources and training to discuss and address body image issues. However, the response does …
Department of Health and Social Care
18 Recommendation Second Report - The impact of body imag… Acknowledged

Introduce a licensing regime for non-surgical cosmetic procedures by July 2023.

The risk of exploitation of vulnerable groups seeking non-surgical cosmetic procedures is too great and we recommend that to prevent further exploitation, the Department immediately draws up a clear timeframe for the consultation process. We urge the Government to make this a priority and to introduce the licensing regime for …

Government response. The government agrees on the need for suitably trained and qualified practitioners for non-surgical cosmetic procedures and commits to working with the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners and other stakeholders to consider whether further education and training requirements are necessary. …
Department of Health and Social Care
20 Recommendation Second Report - The impact of body imag… Acknowledged

Introduce two-part consent and 48-hour cooling-off period for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

We recommend that the new licensing regime for non-surgical cosmetic procedures includes a commitment to a two-part consent process for anyone considering having a non-surgical cosmetic procedure, including, at a minimum, a full medical and mental health history, as well as a mandatory 48-hour cooling off period between the consent …

Government response. The government stated it will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure consumers can make safe and informed choices about cosmetic procedures, but committed to no specific actions regarding the recommended consent process or cooling-off period.
Department of Health and Social Care
21 Conclusion Second Report - The impact of body imag… Acknowledged

Specific premises standards and extended enforcement powers are needed for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

There should be specific premises standards for all beauty salons and non-CQC registered premises providing non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Local Authority Enforcement Officers should be given extended powers to enforce compliance with a nationally agreed set of premises standards.

Government response. The government stated its general desire for the public to trust medicines and devices used in non-surgical cosmetic procedures and for practitioners to market responsibly, but committed to no action on premises standards or enforcement powers.
Department of Health and Social Care
25 Conclusion Second Report - The impact of body imag… Acknowledged

Prohibition of cosmetic procedure advertising to under-18s is a welcome decision.

We welcome the decision to prohibit advertising for cosmetic procedures being directed at under-18s and we look forward to the results of the 12-month review of this new measure

Government response. The government acknowledges the committee's welcome of the ban on advertising cosmetic procedures to under-18s, confirming the ban came into effect on 25 May 2022 through CAP rules covering all media.
Department of Health and Social Care

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
17 May 2022 Charles King, lived experience witness, Dr Angela Meadows · University of Essex, Gillian Keegan MP · Department for Education, Helen James · Nutriri, Tam Fry · National Obesity Forum, Zoe Seager · Department of Health and Social Care View ↗
26 Apr 2022 Ashton Collins · Save Face, Kim Booker, lived experience witness, Lucy Thorpe · Mental Health Foundation, Malcolm Phillips · Advertising Standards Authority, Professor David Sines · Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners - The JCCP, Professor James McVeigh · Manchester Metropolitan University, Professor Jean McHale · University of Birmingham View ↗
8 Mar 2022 Alex Light, Journalist and Influencer, Dr Georgina Krebs · University College London, Dr Stuart Flint · University of Leeds, James Brittain-McVey, Lead Guitarist in the Vamps and Campaigner, Nyome Nicholas-Williams, Model and Activist, Professor Heather Widdows · University of Birmingham, Professor Sandeep Ranote · Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership View ↗

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
8 Jun 2022 Correspondence from the Minister of State for Care and Mental Health following …