Image: The new guide has been designed for parents

A new guide launched by non-profit organisation Media Smart to help parents educate their children about body confidence issues has received the backing of the Home Office.

The body image parent pack is designed for young people aged between six- and 11-years-old and explains how the media can alter images, which can then impact on self-esteem.

Children are encouraged to think about why such images have been changed, while the new pack also looks at how the "perfect" body has evolved through the ages.

Equalities minister Lynne Featherstone said: "Young people are being set an impossible standard by images in media and advertising which can erode their self esteem.

"This will be an important contribution to the government's body confidence campaign and I am delighted to have worked with Media Smart."

The launch of the parent pack follows the success of a Media Smart guide aimed at primary school teachers, which has been downloaded more than 1,500 times.

Media Smart chair Paul Jackson said: "We have found that children respond really well when they realise that most of the images they see have been altered in some way and are aspirational but not realistic."

Last October, Featherstone called on health club operators to stop using "models with perfect bodies" over fears it could deter people from joining clubs.

Details: www.mediasmart.org.uk

Image (c) Joel Chant www.joelchant.com