Handbook of Positive Body Image and Embodiment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niva Piran
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Appreciation ◽  
Positive Body Image ◽  
Social Interventions ◽  
Dialectical Relationship ◽  
And Gender

Positive body image entails appreciating, loving, respecting, nurturing, protecting, and seeing beauty in the body regardless of its consistency with media appearance ideals. Embodiment reflects a connection between the mind and the body, which have a continual dialectical relationship with the world, and includes positive body connection, body agency and functionality, attuned self-care, positive experiences with body desires, and living in the body as a subjective rather than objectified site. This 38-chapter handbook reviews current knowledge of positive body image and embodiment, as well as future directions for work in these areas, which will be useful for mental health researchers, practitioners, advocates, and activists. Nine chapters review constructs that represent the positive ways we live in our bodies: experiences of embodiment, body appreciation, body functionality, body image flexibility, broad conceptualization of beauty, mindful attunement, intuitive eating, attunement with exercise, and attuned sexuality. Fifteen chapters speak to how we can cultivate positive body image and embodiment by expanding physical freedom (mindful movement, personal safety, connection to agency and desire); mental freedom (resisting objectification, stigma, media images, and gender-related molds); and social power (within families, peers, support systems, and online contexts). Last, 14 chapters address novel ways we can enhance positive body image and embodiment through individual and social interventions that focus on compassion, acceptance, emotional regulation, mindfulness, social justice, movement (yoga), cognitive dissonance, media literacy, and public health and policy initiatives.

Promoting Positive Body Image and Embodiment in Schools

2019 ◽  
pp. 346-359
Author(s):  
Zali Yager
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Media Literacy ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Appreciation ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Positive Body Image ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Program Content

Body image programming has been implemented in schools to varying degrees of success, but to date, no programs specific to positive body image have been developed and evaluated. This chapter reviews programs that have been effective in improving body image to determine whether the elements of positive body image and embodiment have been present in program content. Some elements of positive body image, such as media literacy and critiquing stereotypes, were present in all five programs conducted with children (<12 years), and all eight programs conducted with adolescents (13–18 years). Additionally, agency (through activism and voice) and broadly conceptualizing beauty were often present in children’s programs, and resisting objectification and agency were often present in adolescent programs. Only one program included the Body Appreciation Scale as a measure of program effectiveness. Potential future directions for programs are discussed, including the incorporation of positive movement, mindfulness, and self-compassion.

scholarly journals Nature Exposure and Positive Body Image: A Cross–Sectional Study Examining the Mediating Roles of Physical Activity, Autonomous Motivation, Connectedness to Nature, and Perceived Restorativeness

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 12246
Author(s):  
Migle Baceviciene ◽  
Rasa Jankauskiene ◽  
Viren Swami
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Autonomous Motivation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Appreciation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Body Image ◽  
Connectedness To Nature

Research shows that nature exposure is directly and indirectly associated with more positive body image, which is an important facet of well-being more generally. In this study, we tested the mediating roles of physical activity in nature, perceived restoration in nature, autonomous motivation, and connectedness to nature in explaining the association between nature exposure and positive body image. An online sample of 924 Lithuanian adults (age M = 40.0 years, 73.6% women) completed a survey that included the Nature Exposure (NE) Scale, the Body Appreciation Scale-2, a measure of frequency of physical activity in nature (PAN), the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2, the Restoration Outcome Scale, and the Connectedness to Nature Scale. Path analysis was conducted to examine hypothesized direct and indirect effects. Results showed that both greater NE (B = 0.564, SE = 0.057, p < 0.001) and autonomy in exercise motivation (B = 0.039, SE = 0.006, p < 0.001) were associated with more frequent PAN. Direct effects from exercise autonomy to nature restorativeness (B = 0.017, SE = 0.006, p = 0.004) and body appreciation (B = 0.041, SE = 0.004, p < 0.001) were observed. Associations were also found between connectedness to nature and body appreciation (B = 0.166, SE = 0.040, p < 0.001), nature restorativeness and body appreciation (B = 0.075, SE = 0.019, p < 0.001), and frequency of PAN and body appreciation (B = 0.064, SE = 0.019, p < 0.001). PAN mediated the relationship between NE and body appreciation. The final model was invariant across place of residence (urban vs. rural) and gender. Including self-determined physical activity in nature may increase the effectiveness of intervention programs aimed at promoting more positive body image.

scholarly journals #BodyProudMums: Promoting Body Positivity through Brand Storytelling on Social Media

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-341
Author(s):  
Ruvira Arindita
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Body Satisfaction ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Appreciation ◽  
Body Image Satisfaction ◽  
Body Acceptance

Previous researches showed that there is relation between body image satisfaction and depression in perinatal period. Given this fact, it is important to educate and find ways to enhance mothers’ postpartum self-esteem and body satisfaction. For the last decade body image literature has risen and brought to new discussion about body positivity. This research focuses on women’s body positivity campaign presented by Mothercare called #BodyProudMums. The objective of this research is to identify the storytelling elements used to promote women’s body positivity campaign and whether the issue creates good brand story for Mothercare. The concepts used are body positivity, postpartum, brand storytelling, and social media with qualitative content analysis as research method. The unit of analysis are ten posts of #BodyProudMums campaign on @mothercareuk, while the samples are three randomly chosen posts. This research notes that the body positivity messages of body appreciation, body acceptance, and love, as well as broad conceptualization of beauty are carried out by the elements of storytelling namely: basic plots (the quest), archetype (the change master) with the following story objectives: communicating who they are, fostering collaboration, transmitting values and sparking action. There are only three out of four elements of good brand story present on the campaign. However, the absence of humor element is justified because of the nature of the postpartum story in which it shares mothers’ hardship and how they finally cope with it. Therefore, it can be said that the issue of mothers’ body positivity creates good brand story for Mothercare. Key words: positive body image, postpartum, brand storytelling, social media

scholarly journals Body Image in Athletes and Nonathletes With Low Back Pain: Avoidance–Endurance-Related Subgroups and Sports Status Play a Role

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Claudia G. Levenig ◽  
Michael Kellmann ◽  
Jens Kleinert ◽  
Johanna Belz ◽  
Tobias Hesselmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Psychosocial Aspects ◽  
Pain Behavior ◽  
The Body ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Positive Body Image ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Pain Responses

Context: Low back pain (LBP) is a serious health problem, both in the general population as well as in athletes. Research has shown that psychosocial aspects, such as dysfunctional pain responses, play a significant role in the chronification of LBP. Recent research supports the relevance of the multidisciplinary concept of body image in the interpretation of LBP. Objective: To examine the differences in 2 psychosocial aspects, body image and pain responses, between athletes and nonathletes with LBP. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: The questionnaires were distributed in the course of LBP treatment. Participants: Data from 163 athletes (mean age = 28.69 [9.6] y) and 75 nonathletes (mean age = 39.34 [12.63] y) were collected. Interventions: Data were collected by questionnaires assessing body image, pain behavior, training activity, and LBP. Main Outcome Measures: To examine group differences between athletes and nonathletes regarding body image and pain behavior, the authors performed 2-way analyses of variance with Bonferroni post hoc tests. Results: The results showed (1) a significant main effect regarding pain responses and body image, showing that participants with eustress endurance or adaptive pain behavior revealed a more positive body image in both groups compared with participants with distress endurance or fear-avoidance behavior, and (2) a significant main effect for the factor group in the body image dimension of physical efficacy, indicating a more positive body image for athletes. Conclusion: These results suggest that considering multiple risk factors for LBP, such as body image and dysfunctional pain behavior, as well as subgrouping, might be valuable for research and for broadening therapy options.

Media Literacy Interventions to Facilitate Positive Body Image and Embodiment

2019 ◽  
pp. 374-384
Author(s):  
Simon Wilksch
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Media Literacy ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Developmental Theory ◽  
Eating Disorder Risk ◽  
Literacy Interventions ◽  
Positive Body Image ◽  
The Media ◽  
Disorder Risk

This chapter explores the media literacy approach to body image and eating disorder risk reduction through a positive body image and embodiment lens. While most media literacy research in the field to date has focused on reducing eating disorder risk factors, available evidence is discussed for how media literacy programs can impact the physical, mental, and social power domains relevant to the developmental theory of embodiment. The media literacy approach appears well suited to investigations of positive body image and embodiment. While media literacy primarily focuses on reducing the perceived importance of appearance and weight, the mechanism by which this is achieved needs further exploration where it is likely that such “positive” features play an important part.

Broad Conceptualization of Beauty

2019 ◽  
pp. 52-57
Author(s):  
Tracy L. Tylka
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Body Appreciation ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Clinical Considerations ◽  
Theory Research

A theme of broadly conceptualizing beauty has emerged in interviews of adolescent and adult women who espouse a positive body image. Broadly conceptualizing beauty is perceiving many looks, appearances, and body sizes/shapes as beautiful and drawing from inner characteristics (e.g., confidence) when determining an individual’s beauty. This chapter first discusses the relevance of broadly conceptualizing beauty to theory, research, and practice on girls’ and women’s positive embodiment. Next, this chapter presents the Broad Conceptualization of Beauty Scale (BCBS), which assesses women’s attitudes toward other women’s beauty. The BCBS has been shown to yield evidence of reliability and validity among community samples of women. It can also be combined with an item from the Body Appreciation Scale-2, which assesses self-beauty, to obtain a more comprehensive assessment of women’s tendency to broadly conceptualize beauty (i.e., within themselves and others). The chapter ends by discussing future research and clinical considerations for this construct.

scholarly journals Assessment of body image in preschoolers: Perception of parents and children / Valoración de la imagen corporal en preescolares: Percepción de padres e hijos

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-220
Author(s):  
Rosalia Vazquez-Arevalo ◽  
Alberto Rodríguez Nabor ◽  
Xochitl López Aguilar ◽  
Juan Manuel Mancilla-Díaz
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Small Proportion ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Perception ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The One

Abstract The objective of this research was to determine the body perception (BP) of preschoolers and compare it with the one reported by their parents. A total of 48 preschoolers participated (Mage = 5 years, SD = 0.5), 21 boys, 27 girls, and their parents (47 fathers and 48 mothers). The children were weighed and measured, also they answered the instrument Seven Figures of Collins (SFC) and seven questions about food, beauty and health. The parents answered the Body Image Questionnaire, the Stunkard Figures, as well as the SFCs to identify the real (RF) and ideal figure(IF) of their children. When children described themselves, they mostly referred the normal figure, coinciding with their parents. A very small proportion of preschoolers perceived themselves with obesity (around 29-30%); while any parent identified their children with obesity. 50% of preschoolers chose thinner silhouettes than their body mass index (BMI), but not emaciated. For RF, most parents chose normal weight for boys and light overweight for girls; for IF parents chose, for both sexes, the one with light overweight. In conclusion, the preschool BP disagreed between reality and perception, regardless of their BMI and gender. The parents also did not have an adequate BP for their children. Resumen El objetivo de esta investigación fue conocer la percepción corporal (PC) de preescolares y compararla con la que sus padres tienen de ellos. Participaron 48 preescolares (Medad = 5 años, DE = 0.5), 21 niños y 27 niñas, y sus padres (47 papás y 48 mamás). Los niños fueron pesados y medidos, contestaron el instrumento Siete Figuras de Collins (SFC) y, con relación a éste, siete preguntas sobre alimentación, belleza y salud. A los padres se les aplicó el Cuestionario de Imagen Corporal, las Figuras de Stunkard, además de las SFC para que identificaran la figura real (FR) e ideal (FI) de sus hijos. Para describirse, los preescolares refirieron mayormente la figura normopeso, coincidiendo con sus padres. Fue mínima la proporción de preescolares que se percibieron con obesidad (presente en 29-30%); mientras que ningún padre la identificó en sus hijos. El 50% de los preescolares eligió siluetas más delgadas a su índice de masa corporal (IMC), pero no emaciadas. Como FR, la mayoría de los padres eligió la normopeso para los niños y con sobrepeso ligero para las niñas; como FI eligieron, para ambos sexos, aquélla con sobrepeso ligero. En conclusión, la PC del preescolar discrepó entre la real y la percibida, independientemente de su IMC y sexo. Los padres tampoco tuvieron una adecuada PC de sus hijos.

scholarly journals #BoPo on Instagram: An experimental investigation of the effects of viewing body positive content on young women’s mood and body image

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1546-1564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Cohen ◽  
Jasmine Fardouly ◽  
Toby Newton-John ◽  
Amy Slater
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Body Satisfaction ◽  
Positive Mood ◽  
The Body ◽  
Thin Ideal ◽  
Body Appreciation ◽  
Women's Body Image ◽  
Body Positive ◽  
Self Objectification ◽  
Positive Content

Body-positive content on social media aims to challenge mainstream beauty ideals and encourage acceptance and appreciation of all body types. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of viewing body-positive Instagram posts on young women’s mood and body image. Participants were 195 young women (18–30 years old) who were randomly allocated to view either body-positive, thin-ideal, or appearance-neutral Instagram posts. Results showed that brief exposure to body positive posts was associated with improvements in young women’s positive mood, body satisfaction and body appreciation, relative to thin-ideal and appearance-neutral posts. In addition, both thin-ideal and body-positive posts were associated with increased self-objectification relative to appearance-neutral posts. Finally, participants showed favourable attitudes towards the body positive accounts with the majority being willing to follow them in the future. It was concluded that body-positive content may offer a fruitful avenue for improving young women’s body image, although further research is necessary to fully understand the effects on self-objectification.

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