Q&A

Do we really need another body image book?! How is this one different? 

Most body image books for girls are written for girls to read independently once they are old enough. But science shows that body image development is relational and that girls are influenced by their moms’ thoughts and behaviors toward their own bodies. In our book, moms will first achieve insight about their own body image before learning how to help their girls build a healthy body image. 

Does the responsibility for healthy body image fall only on moms? Isn’t this a lot of pressure?

Moms are not the only influencers in girls’ body image development. Other family members, relatives, peers, and the media and cultural messages play roles at different timepoints. We cover these influences and explain how to navigate them. We also know that the reality of parenting is that no one will get it right every time. We empower moms with tips that they can easily use in daily life to make the most of the strong influence they have in the early years.

Why are there two authors?  

Most books on body image are written by authors with expertise on women’s body image. To understand how body image develops and how best to engage with our girls effectively, we need to take a developmental perspective. For this reason, we have combined the unique, complementary perspectives of both a social psychologist with expertise on women and a developmental psychologist with expertise on child development.

Why start so young? 

Most books focus on late childhood, tweenhood, and/or adolescence. But children’s body image begins to develop far earlier - in the preschool years! Children also begin to learn about food and human biology during these early years, so it is an ideal time to start building wellness habits for life. Finally, media influence starts early, so it is important to give girls the tools they need to navigate social pressures effectively.

How can moms benefit from this book? 

Like their daughters, most moms have also grown up in a diet culture context, and based on the science and our focus groups with women, we know that many of them experience body dissatisfaction. The early chapters of the book provide insight about the origins of this dissatisfaction, and offer strategies for confronting and dealing with it.   

Is this book only for moms? Is it only for women?

The book is appropriate for all women with special girls in their lives (e.g., nieces, family friends), not just moms. Many of the tips in the book apply across gender boundaries: men have commented on the utility of the book in educating them about how to raise their daughters. And men can also achieve insight about why their partners or other women in their lives struggle with body dissatisfaction. All of us can be advocates for healthy body image.

What do you mean by “Beyond Body Positive?” 

You may be familiar with the cultural phenomenon of body positivity, and although we embrace the intentions of this movement, the science of positive body image is more complex. Developing a healthy body image is a process that takes time. We also focus on the importance of body respect and care for the body, so we provide age-appropriate tips for nutrition and physical literacy.