Body Image Understanding Body Dissatisfaction in Men, Women and Children

Fully revised and updated, Body Image 4th Edition provides a comprehensive summary of research on body image in men, women, and children drawing together research findings from the fields of psychology, sociology, and gender studies. The new edition presents all the latest research on body image including work on technology and body image, interventions to reduce body dissatisfaction, and links between body image, BMI, and clothing availability. Including data from interviews and focus groups with men, women, and children who have spoken about body image and its impact on the rest of their lives, the book explores a range of important contemporary issues, including the effects of social media and selfie-taking on body image, the work of activists and academics who are trying to change how the fashion industry presents women’s bodies, and new work investigating impacts of whole-body scanning technology and game-play avatars on appearance concern. Reflecting the direction of research on body image from a range of disciplines since the previous edition, the book also includes an increased focus on body image in men, looking at studies on pressures to be more muscular and toned, and evaluating the possible impacts on health-related behaviours such as exercise and body-related drug use. The only sole-authored text in the field, and integrating work from several disciplines, this is essential reading for students and researchers in psychology, sociology, computing science, sport and exercise science, and gender studies, with an interest in reducing body dissatisfaction in men, women and children.

List of Figures Preface to the fourth edition Acknowledgments Introduction History Definitions Theoretical Perspectives Aims and Content of this Text Bibliography Culture and Body Image The Idealization of Slenderness The Basis of Body Shape Ideals The Dieting Industry Summary Bibliography Women and Body Image Assessment of Body Image Behavioral Indicators of Body Dissatisfaction Social Construction of the Feminine Body Summary Bibliography Men and Body Image Assessment of Body Image Behavioral Indicators of Body Dissatisfaction Social Construction of the Masculine Body Summary Bibliography Media Effects Media Portrayal of Women’s Bodies Media Portrayal of Men’s Bodies Surveys Relating Media Exposure to Body Image Studies Investigating Direct Effects of Media Images on Body Image Interview Studies Theories of Media Influence Body Shape Role Models Recent Developments Summary 10. Bibliography Age, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status, and Sexuality Body Image Across the Life Span Ethnicity and Body Image Socioeconomic Status and Body Image Body Shape, Sexual Attractiveness, and Sexuality Summary Bibliography Reducing Body Dissatisfaction and Promoting Positive Body Image Psychological Factors Predicting Body Dissatisfaction General Conclusions and Future Directions Summary Bibliography

Sarah Grogan is Emeritus Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. She has been involved in body image research since 1990. Her research centres on reducing body dissatisfaction in men, women, and children, with a particular focus on the impact of body image and related behaviours on physical health.