Body Positive
Understanding and Improving Body Image in Science and Practice

Explains what makes people love and appreciate their bodies, and offers advice on how we can all do the same.

Elizabeth A. Daniels (Edited by), Meghan M. Gillen (Edited by), Charlotte H. Markey (Edited by)

9781108419321, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 19 July 2018

280 pages, 4 b/w illus. 3 tables
23.5 x 15.6 x 1.8 cm, 0.52 kg

'… [this] book … brings together insights from leading body image researchers in order to help individuals better understand the nature of body positivity and the body positive movement, which has taken our society by storm. The text … explore[s] body image through a variety of perspectives including mindfulness, appearance ideals, cultural and gender identities, and health at every size. The editors also incorporate thought-provoking sections regarding body image improvement, specifically focusing on body appreciation despite societal appearance norms, body functionality and embodiment, and expressions of gratitude toward one's body. The underlying theme of this text is the idea of self-care and understanding the need to embrace and love one's physical body. This text would be beneficial for researchers and those in health fields (i.e. public health, health promotion, personal trainers, coaches) who wish to focus on body image improvement and enhancement.' C. Hauff, Choice

What would it be like to feel good about your body? Does anyone really fully appreciate their body? If diverse body shapes and sizes were shown in the media, would this change your perception? While this book addresses all of these questions and more, it is not simply a standard scientific exploration of poor body image. Instead, it examines a new movement focused on understanding what it is that leads people to love, appreciate, take care of, and embrace their bodies. Featuring chapters written by leading, international experts in the science and practice of body image, Body Positive is a provocative and engaging look at how we feel about our physical selves in the twenty-first century - and how we can all come to feel better than we currently do.

Introduction: becoming positive: our growing understanding of positive body image Meghan M. Gillen, Charlotte H. Markey and Elizabeth A. Daniels
1. Overview of the field of positive body image Tracy L. Tylka
2. Positive body image by gender and across the lifespan Lina A. Ricciardelli, Marie L. Caltabiano and Laura D. D'Antuono
3. Considering positive body image through the lens of culture and minority social identities Viren Swami
4. Moving beyond body dissatisfaction and risky sexual behavior: a critical review of positive body image and sexual health scholarship Virginia Ramseyer Winter
5. Appearance related practices: can they be part of a positive body image? Kristina H. Gattario and Carolina Lunde
6. Mindful self-care and positive body image: mindfulness, yoga, and actionable tools for positive embodiment Catherine Cook-Cottone
7. The Health at Every Size® paradigm: promoting body positivity for all bodies Patti Lou Watkins, Dawn Clifford and Brian Souza
8. Better than before: individual strategies for body image improvement Jamie Dunaev and Charlotte H. Markey
9. Programmatic approaches to cultivating positive body image in youth Elizabeth A. Daniels and Tomi-Ann Roberts
10. Clinical applications of positive body image Nichole L. Wood-Barcalow and Casey L. Augustus-Horvath.

Subject Areas: Clinical psychology [MMJ], Health psychology [MBNH9], Social, group or collective psychology [JMH], Child & developmental psychology [JMC]