YOUNG people in Gwent who struggle with issues arising out of body image are seeking help through a group run by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

The group for children and adolescents seeks to educate young people about what body image is, and to explore their own values and ideas about their body image.

Images of allegedly 'perfect' bodies and lifestyles are widespread on social media, in newspapers and magazines and on television, and Daune Green, an advanced practitioner for eating disorders, who runs the group, said: “Body image has never been more important and more misunderstood, and the pressure on young people to look good is bigger than ever before.

“Teenagers have instant access to a global selection of role models, but it's impossible to compete with the 'perfect' bodies and 'glamorous' lives on show.

“We try to get the teenagers to appreciate who they are and not what they look like."

Illnesses like anorexia and body dysmorphia are on the rise and increasing numbers of teenagers need support for mental health problems.

Despite the common assumption that body image issues mainly affect young women, Ms Green says an increasing number of young men develop mental health difficulties due to worrying about their appearance.

“Young men can be quite impressionable, although generally they don’t talk about body image as much as girls," she said.

“Some boys think that if they become as ‘ripped’ as some of the sportsmen or celebrities they see in the media, then they will become more successful with relationships, or other areas of life.

“As a result they spend every spare hour in the gym, or watching what they eat, and they don’t have any time to enjoy life.”

The group's work has recently featured in a BBC documentary called ?#?welshteens: My Perfect Body - and a file full of 'thank you' letters from young people who have benefited from attending the group is testament to the work it does.

One attendee wrote: “The group has taught me to give my mind a break and to not let my thoughts run away with me.

"Perhaps the most important thing I can take away from it is that body image is only a small part of our life and identity. Instead of letting myself get fed up with my appearance, I have learnt to focus on other things.”

Another concluded: “The group is one of the best things I’ve taken part in as it has made me realise that people like you for who you are, not what you look like.

“I feel better about myself and more confident about my appearance.”

Anyone who feels they might benefit from attending the body image group should speak first to their GP.