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Body Image & Health Inc. |
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About Us - Achievements |
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BIH Inc began as a community-based project and its history demonstrates the power of individuals to make a difference by taking a stand on issues that concern them. The organisation was funded by VicHealth (1992 –2000) to address the socio-cultural factors that influence people, especially women, to be harshly critical of their bodies. Through social advocacy, workforce development, dissemination of research and public awareness campaigns, BIH Inc has achieved significant outcomes during this time, including: Promoting community awareness of the issues in the media · International No Diet Day, which was brought to Australia by BIH Inc in 1995, is now a nationally recognised event generating extensive media coverage and community participation each year · Body Image and Health Inc has established itself with the media as the expert organisation on body image issues in Australia, resulting in regular unsolicited inquiries on topical body image issues Enlisting the support of the fitness industry in promoting positive body image · A position paper on Body Image and the Role of Fitness instructors (developed with VicFit), has been widely disseminated throughout the fitness industry. It now forms the basis of training seminars and ongoing development for fitness instructors and gyms · A financially viable approach to promoting positive body image within fitness centres - “The Body Satisfaction Program” has been developed, trialed and packaged. This Program is now available to fitness centres in a 12-hour, VicFit accredited training program. (See current activities)
Public and Professional Education · Developed and launched a consumers guide to evaluating weight loss programs and products, (“The Weight Loss Checklist”) in conjunction with the Heart Foundation · Convened a Public Forum on Cosmetic Surgery to help consumers make more informed decisions about undertaking surgery. This was complemented by BIH Inc’s contribution to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Cosmetic Surgery (submission and parliamentary hearing). · Seminars for Parents on how to address body image issues in their children have been developed. · Training seminars have been developed and delivered to teachers, health and community workers in local settings and through state conferences of peak bodies. Research · Five Annual Research Forums have been hosted and Proceedings produced, keeping academics, professionals and the media abreast of the latest body image research. · A series of ten Research Summaries on various aspects of body image have been produced and made accessible to professionals and the general public. From August 2000, Body Image and Health Inc no longer functions as a staffed organisation due to loss of funding. However, this does not mark the end of the issue. Body Image and Heath Inc continues as an Incorporated Association of Body Image Consultants who are committed to keeping body image on the public health agenda by: · providing media commentary · promoting International No Diet Day · advocating for the integration of body image into government health policy · education and consultancy to the fitness, health, education and public sector (See Current Activities) · contributing to community- based projects
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