Body image taboos holding girls back from playing sport, experts warn

‘You need more than just inspirational moments, you have to have programmes behind it,’ said Tanni Grey-Thompson. Photograph: James Manning/PA

Taboos around women’s bodies are holding girls back from pursuing sport into adulthood and preventing the creation of “a generation of fit and healthy women”, a parliamentary committee has heard.

With surveys showing 64% of girls give up sport by the end of puberty, experts told the women and equalities committee that a complete sea change in understanding around the impact of sport on female bodies is required, but that such a change is possible and “if we get it right we’d be on a winning streak”.