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Introducing Australia’s first comprehensive report on the social and economic costs of body dissatisfaction and appearance-related discrimination.
“As a larger-bodied person, I have experienced firsthand the pervasive and detrimental impact of weight-based discrimination in many areas of my life. I have faced discrimination in educational, work and social settings which has resulted in missed opportunities, avoidance and harm. When people are made to feel unwelcome or unworthy because of their appearance, it affects not just our opportunities but our overall health and wellbeing.” – Evie Gardiner
Body dissatisfaction
- Costs Australia $36.6 billion a year, of which $11.1 billion is the economic cost
- Every adult with body dissatisfaction costs the economy $2,685 per year
- Body dissatisfaction increases the likelihood of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicide attempts, self-harm, and substance abuse
- It prevents individuals from engaging in life activities such as pursuing romantic relationships, spending time with friends and family, expressing an opinion or standing up for themselves.
Weight-based discrimination
- More than 3.1 million (13.8%) people in Australia have experienced appearance-based discrimination (including weight-based discrimination) in a year
- Weight-based discrimination costs Australia $27.6 billion a year, of which $9.4 billion is the economic cost
- Every adult affected by weight-based discrimination costs the economy $6,593
- Increases the likelihood of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, smoking, and alcohol and drug use.
“Managing the effects of discrimination—binge eating, disrupted sleep, migraines, and declining mental health—has forced me to spend more on interventions and support. The need for frequent medical appointments means taking time off work, reducing my income and makes it harder to cover essentials like food, rent, and utilities. This creates a cycle where the financial strain worsens, leaving me struggling to manage both the direct costs of treatment and the broader impact on my daily living expenses.”
Body dissatisfaction and weight-based discrimination are key contributors to the development of eating disorders and increase the risk of other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and self-harm.
Additionally, these factors, along with other forms of appearance-based discrimination, negatively affect physical health, lead to social withdrawal, and contribute to healthcare avoidance, which have devastating impacts on a person’s overall quality of life.
When considered together, these factors also have substantial economic consequences, particularly in terms of healthcare costs and reduced workforce participation and productivity.
Dr Jim Hungerford, Butterfly’s CEO, says:
“Knowing the true cost and consequences of appearance ideals and discrimination in Australia is invaluable in informing our health promotion, prevention and early intervention work. This work is critical in reaching our ultimate goal of reducing the number of people impacted by body dissatisfaction and eating disorders and creating a society where people are valued and respected beyond their appearance.”
Voices of Lived Experience in the Report
“The constant preoccupation with my body size runs through my mind from the moment I wake up until I go to sleep. The overwhelming feelings of not fitting in or belonging, due to my body and its size, are a major source of stress and anxiety.”
“Concerns about my appearance have affected my comfort in attending workplace settings. I feel overwhelmed by the need to dress appropriately, pack all my food, and the fear of having to eat out. When traveling for work, I experience anxiety about not knowing what exercise facilities and food options will be available. These concerns around my body and appearance have made it challenging to engage socially, often causing me to miss out on opportunities.”
“This experience is new to me because I was much thinner before, and now I clearly notice the difference in how people treat me. It feels like I have to navigate the world differently, adjusting how I approach others. I’ve had to relearn social cues and become more aware of how casual fatphobia shows up in conversations.”
“Appearance based discrimination impacts my quality of life as when seeking advice from GPs about non-related issues they tend to bring up weight and reinforce the idea that my body doesn’t look good.”
Thank you
The Economic and Social Impact of Appearance Ideals in Australia (2024), was developed by KPMG with the input of an Expert Advisory Panel and a Lived Experience Consultation Group.
