Taryn Brumfitt launches youth body image documentary in the US
The 2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt will this week launch her documentary EMBRACE KIDS in the United States as she attends a State Dinner at the White House.
Taryn Brumfitt before the State Dinner at the White House in Washington DC.
Brumfitt – a South Australian filmmaker and the current Australian of the Year – said the US launch of her youth-focused body image documentary would “help us lead the change our young people so desperately need”.
It follows the runaway success of her 2016 docco EMBRACE, and comes as the director is set to attend a State Dinner at the White House in honour of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Accompanied by her colleague Associate Professor Dr Zali Yager from The Embrace Collective, Brumfitt said body image issues were a global problem for young people.
“Australia is a world leader in the prevention of body image issues and eating disorder prevention,” Brumfitt said.
“This launch in the US provides us with the opportunity to reach even more young people, and to get in the room with decision makers who can help us lead the change our young people so desperately need.”
Dr Yager cited a Global Health and Wellbeing Survey from 2021 which found more than 75 per cent of 16 to 25-year-olds experience body image distress.
“This figure is alarming for a few reasons. We know that people who are dissatisfied with their body are more likely to develop clinically significant depression and are up to 24 times as likely to experience a depressive episode,” Dr Yager said.
“We also know that body image is one of the strongest predictors of the development of eating disorders.”
EMBRACE KIDS launched in Australia and New Zealand cinemas last year, and Brumfitt said the film was produced following ‘thousands of messages’ pleading for a youth-focused approach.
“It’s alarming and heartbreaking that kids are being held back by how they feel about their bodies,” she said.
“Imagine giving kids the tools to move, nourish, respect and enjoy their bodies instead?
“EMBRACE KIDS is the next step in the Embrace journey.”
The documentary covers a range of topics including social media, photoshopping, ‘fitspiration’, the influence of media and advertising on body image and role models.
Dr Yager said teaching young people to appreciate their bodies had a significant impact later in life.
“Research shows that young people who appreciate their bodies are more likely to look after them – to engage in physical activity, eat fruit and vegetables, and use less alcohol and other drugs,” Dr Yager said.
