Last Updated on June 30, 2025 | Published: June 17, 2025 published by Jenny Tomei
Summer break is around the corner, and for most students, it means time off, good weather, and a change of routine. But it’s also the time when body image worries start to show up – when the pressure kicks in to look a certain way before the holidays, or to feel “ready” to be around friends by the pool.
Even if no one says it out loud, you start noticing it in small ways. Some students start avoiding PE or cover up more, even when it’s hot, others joke about needing to get “in shape” before summer, or say things like, “I feel gross,” or “I can’t wear that.”
But just because someone’s not saying they’re struggling doesn’t mean they’re not feeling it. And the pressure doesn’t just come from social media – it can come from friends, family, or even passing comments from adults who don’t realise the impact of their words.
Why does this show up more before summer?
There’s something about the change in seasons that makes people start thinking about their bodies more. Clothes change, the weather changes, plans change – and suddenly, more attention is on how you look.
For students, that can mean worrying about wearing shorts, putting on a swimsuit, or being seen in ways they don’t feel comfortable with. It can also mean more time online seeing other people’s “glow-ups,” diets, and fitness routines. It all adds to the feeling that they’re supposed to do something to “get ready” for summer.
How schools might see it
This stuff doesn’t always look dramatic but sometimes it’s small shifts in behaviour, like:
- Only eating certain “safe” foods at school
- Wearing oversized clothes even in the heat
- Constantly checking their appearance or comparing themselves
- Becoming unusually quiet or anxious around PE or group activities
It can also manifest as students becoming overly focused on being “healthy” – cutting out foods, overexercising, or claiming they need to “fix” something about themselves.
What can parents and teachers do?
1. Talk about body image
No big assembly needed – just casual conversations in workshops where students can say how they feel without being judged. Let them know it’s okay to feel unsure sometimes, and they’re not alone.
2. Watch your language
Be mindful of what’s said around students. Avoid comments about weight, appearance, or how someone’s body has “changed.” Even compliments can be harmful if they reinforce the idea that being smaller is always better.
3. Rethink how you talk about health and fitness
Try not to link exercise or food to appearance! Focus on how movement can make you feel stronger, more energised, or less stressed.
4. Be aware of what students might be hearing
Sometimes the pressure comes from outside school, but it’s felt most intensely within school – in changing rooms, classrooms, and friend groups. Just being aware of this makes it easier to spot when someone might be struggling.
Common Phrases to Avoid
These are things students might hear – or say themselves:
Phrases That Can Be Harmful:
These kinds of comments can reinforce negative body image and promote unhealthy comparisons.
- “I need to get my summer body ready.”
- “I feel so fat today.”
- “She’s so snatched; I wish I looked like that.”
- “I want to be lean”
- “I have to work out to earn this meal.”
- “No one wants to see me in a swimsuit.”
Healthier Alternatives:
These alternatives encourage positive conversations and help shift the focus from appearance to well-being and enjoyment.
- “How are you feeling today?”
- “You seem really happy – what’s been going well?”
- “What’s something fun you’re looking forward to this summer?”
- “I appreciate how strong my body feels after that workout.”
- “Let’s focus on enjoying the moment, not how we look.”
Useful links:
Body Image Toolkit for Schools: FREE to download
Written by Andreja Grigaityte
