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.

‘Body Positive provides a novel, refreshing way of conceptualizing body image, from the assessment of body image to its antecedents and consequences across a range of populations, from childhood through to old age. The authors are outstanding researchers and clinicians who tackle the old concept of body image in a new and positive way, by focusing on the positive role that body image can play in our lives.'

Marita McCabe - Australian Catholic University

‘Body Positive is just what we need to promote the development of positive embodiment. Congratulations to the editors on this first-rate collection! The book is chock full of ideas for researchers and suggestions for clinical interventions. Highly recommended for both professionals and graduate students.'

Joan C. Chrisler - Connecticut College

‘The book addresses a timely and important topic in the field of body image and eating disorders. Moving beyond negative body image and risk factor research to positive ways of living in the body and protective factors is essential to health promotion and the treatment of a range of body-based disruptions, including eating disorders.'

Niva Piran - University of Toronto

‘After decades of research on the negative aspects of body image, research attention has finally turned to positive body image. This comprehensive and timely volume offers a thoughtful and nuanced distillation of contemporary knowledge surrounding positive body image. Perhaps most valuably, it presents practical strategies for enhancing positive body image across a range of settings. Because positive body image is so intimately connected to individual and societal well-being, this information has the real potential to enrich lives. In so doing, the volume manages to capture the optimism and excitement of this young but flourishing field. It should prove an invaluable resource for clinicians, scholars of body image, and the general reader alike.'

Marika Tiggemann - Flinders University, Adelaide

‘Body Positive is the first book, written by experts in the field, that reviews the burgeoning research on positive body image. The book is comprehensive and accessible. Researchers will appreciate the thorough consideration of empirical findings on such issues as measurement of positive body image and group differences, and the many suggestions for future research. Clinicians and educators will value chapters specifically dedicated to clinical practice and community programs to promote positive body image. Laypeople can benefit from information about practices that promote positive body image, such as yoga and therapeutic writing. For anyone who wants to gain the most current knowledge from a concisely written work, I recommend this book with enthusiasm.'

Sarah K. Murnen - Samuel B. Cummings II Professor of Psychology, Kenyon College, Ohio, and associate editor of Body Image

‘Body Positive expands our thinking beyond overcoming negative body image and focuses on creative ways to cultivate positive body image for others and ourselves in day-to-day life. This book will serve as an excellent evidence-based go-to guide for researchers and practitioners on the concept of positive body image and how to apply it.'

Rachel M. Calogero - University of Western Ontario, Senior Editor of Self-Objectification in Women: Causes, Consequences, and Counteractions

'… [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 Source: Choice