Anti-bias body image curriculum for high schools

Dear Friend,

Today’s young people spend more than eight hours each day on their phones and computers. They compare their appearance to edited and filtered images of people they see on their social media sites. 75% of adolescents report “body image distress,” feeling dissatisfied with their own appearance. We know from the research that having a negative perception of their own bodies leads to serious mental health consequences such as eating disorders, depression, anxiety, risky sexual behavior, substance abuse, and low self-esteem.

BE REAL creates resources to help young people with their body image. We have evidence-based workshops for adults and curricula for youth that are designed to help children develop a healthy relationship with food and their body. 

 Here are some notable highlights of BodyKind:

• BE REAL’s BodyKind high school body image curriculum is available to educators worldwide. In 2025, we more than doubled our overall reach, marking the most significant year of growth in BodyKind’s history.
• BodyKind Goes Global. Be Real has an official BodyKind Ireland adaptation, as well as a Latin American version that has been fully translated into Spanish and is currently being distributed in schools across Mexico and Costa Rica. This Spanish-language version is also being adapted for use in Spain. In addition, Be Real has established a dedicated Chinese BodyKind team to support the program’s Chinese adaptation. Along with cultural adaptations, this version will also be fully translated using the same framework developed for the Latin American version. As we continue to receive inquiries from additional countries, we remain committed to making these adaptations possible.
• College BodyKind is in colleges all across the country. Bodykind College was adapted from the high school curriculum for a college-age, peer-to-peer delivery format. Fifty-five peer facilitators at 18 colleges and universities have been trained. We are working with UNC Charlotte and the University of Georgia to survey participants about their experiences with the program.
• BodyKind has 4 publications. BodyKind’s fourth academic publication is featured in the Body Image Journal. The randomized controlled trial (RCT) found that BodyKind increased body appreciation immediately post-survey and improved self-compassion and body satisfaction at a 12-week follow-up. In 2024, we were featured again in Body Image Journal on BodyKind's Irish cultural adaptation. In 2023, we were once again featured in Body Image Journal on BodyKind's pilot in Minneapolis, and in BMC Public Health on BodyKind's RCT protocol.

Thank you for your past support at GlobalGiving. We could use your help now more than ever to develop and expand the reach of BodyKind!

Confidently yours,

Denise Hamburger

Executive Director of BE REAL

Dear Friend,

Today’s young people spend more than eight hours each day on their phones and computers. They compare their appearance to edited and filtered images of people they see on their social media sites. 75% of adolescents report “body image distress,” feeling dissatisfied with their own appearance. We know from the research that having a negative perception of their own bodies leads to serious mental health consequences such as eating disorders, depression, anxiety, risky sexual behavior, substance abuse, and low self-esteem.

BE REAL creates resources to help young people with their body image. We have evidence-based workshops for adults and curricula for youth that are designed to help children develop a healthy relationship to food and their body. 

 Here are some notable highlights of BodyKind:

• BE REAL’s BodyKind curriculum is available to high school educators nationwide. Teachers can access training and certification through flexible online or in-person sessions.
• BodyKind’s has Four Publications! BodyKind has now been featured in four academic publications. The most recent, in the Body Image Journal, reports results from our randomized controlled trial (RCT), showing increased body appreciation immediately post-survey and improved self-compassion and body satisfaction at a 12-week follow-up.                                                                                                          Previous publications include: 

• • Body Image Journal (2024)– Irish cultural adaptation
  • Body Image Journal  (2023) – Minneapolis pilot study
  • BMC Public Health (2023) – RCT protocol

• BodyKind Around the World. Be Real’s BodyKind curriculum continues to expand globally. The official BodyKind Ireland adaptation has been successfully implemented in schools. In Latin America, Be Real is collaborating with academic partners from Mexico and Costa Rica to create a regional version — with two co-design workshops completed and another planned for later this year. A full Spanish translation is now complete, and Be Real is preparing new adaptations for China and a regional adaptation for Spain. As global interest in BodyKind grows, we are developing a clear framework to guide future translations and cultural adaptations.
• College BodyKind Continues to Grow. Following our live training session, College BodyKind has gained growing recognition across college campuses. Members from across the country tuned in for the event, and students from Washington University, Northwestern University, and the University of Toronto have since led peer seminars. Additional campuses are now reaching out to have their events featured as part of the expanding BodyKind movement.

Thank you for your past support at GlobalGiving. We could use your help now more than ever to develop and expand the reach of BodyKind!

Confidently yours,

Denise Hamburger

Executive Director of BE REAL