Embrace Activate Dance
Organisation / Service
Embrace
Visit website: theembracehub.com
This document aims to explore the benefits of considering body image in the dance environment and provides practical strategies for dance teachers to build better body image for individual dancers, along with a more inclusive, positive culture and environment for dance. Across all ages, styles, genres and settings, the recommendations provided here are based on the latest research and evidence, as well as the lived experience of dancers and dance teachers who have experienced body image concerns and eating disorders. We have created this guide for dance teachers in studio, community and school settings, to provide broad guidance around some practical strategies that could achieve these goals, and ensure that dance can be for every body!
National Strategy Standards and Actions
Prevention
4.1 Parents and caregivers to be supported through a range of health, social and community services and programs to build their own confidence and skills in fostering their child(ren)’s positive body esteem, media literacy and positive relationships with food and eating.
4.2 Early childhood education and care settings to implement whole-of-service policies and procedures to drive a culture of body appreciation and positive relationships with food and eating.
4.5 Eating disorder organisations to partner with industry bodies to develop and roll out workplace initiatives for eating disorder prevention, such as through eating disorder-safe guidelines for workplaces, employee wellbeing programs and staff health/activity challenges.
4.6 Sports, fitness and performance organisations at all levels to embed a focus on eating disorder prevention within club/organisation culture, including through culture change programs and efforts to ensure inclusion of diverse bodies.
5.3 Eating disorder service development and lived experience organisations to continue to provide evidence-based training, resources and support for people providing prevention programs or interventions (e.g., school staff, sports coaches, workplace wellbeing managers).
6.4 Health promotion strategies and campaigns to orient their focus away from weight reduction or management, instead focusing on health-promoting behaviours.
Identification
1.5 Organisational/service settings which interact with population groups at higher risk of eating disorders (e.g., LGBTQIA+ services, schools, sporting/performance organisations) to provide evidence-based information about eating disorders appropriate to the audience.
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