Resources
Whether you are a teen struggling with body image issues or an eating disorder, someone looking to support others grappling with body negativity, or if you’re just interested in learning more about body image in general, the following resources may be helpful:
Associations & Courses
The Body Positive Institute provides online courses for people wanting to help themselves improve their relationships with their bodies, as well as people looking to help others. Topics include: learning to be kind to oneself and others, developing sustainable each habits and exercise regimes, learning and growing through making mistakes and so much more.
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
This is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA is a resource for information regarding eating disorders prevention, treatment, and access to quality care.
Articles
How to Make Kids Comfortable in Their Own Bodies
This article is about the intense body-related pressures that can begin as early as 4 years old. The author shares her experiences and advice as a parent.
Why Body Image is Important to Adolescent Development
This commentary summarizes research on body image in adolescents and is a call to recognize the significant impact body image can have on adolescent development.
Fat and Anorexic: Everyone praised me for my weight loss but I was sicker than I'd ever been
A young girl struggles with anorexia and shares her experience of receiving praise for losing weight while suffering from the most deadly psychiatric disorders.
For Teenage Girls, Swimsuit Season Never Ends
This article describes the body-related pressures that girls experience during their adolescent years. The author discusses an alarming trend for young girls to believe they cannot succeed if their looks aren't up to society's standards.