203 pg, plus 72 perforated handouts, paperback, '05

This updated prevention curriculum for grades 4-6 is even better than the original. Eleven carefully planned lessons simultaneously challenge the unrealistic drive to be thin and diet mentality, eating and fitness habits that contribute to unhealthy fatness, and prejudicial attitudes about size and shape.

Each lesson contains background information, a discussion guide, experiential activities and handouts. Students learn to appreciate inner strengths rather than appearance, gain historical perspective on today's body image attitudes, understand weight gain during puberty, become aware of the dangers of dieting, develop incentives for healthy eating and an active lifestyle, and consider their choice of role models.

Healthy Body Image is recommended by the US Department of Health, Office of Women’s Health and used in hundreds of schools across the country.

A companion book teaches parents the same concepts at home: Real Kids Come in All Sizes

CONTENTS:

Background for Educators

Unit Introduction: Growth and Change in Appearance

Lesson 1: Gaining Perspective: The Development of Unrealistic and Negative Body Images in Western Culture
Lesson 2: Identity and Competency: More Than the Way We Look
Lesson 3: How Your Appearance Will Change in Puberty
Lesson 4: Genetics: How Body Size and Shape are Determined
Lesson 5: Internal Weight Regulation: The Metabolism Factor
Lesson 6: “Sold” on Looks: The Influence of Mass Media
Lesson 7: Hunger and Eating: What Is and Is Not in Our Control?
Lesson 8: Eating Well for Confidence in a Healthy Weight
Lesson 9: Physical Activity for Confidence in a Healthy Weight
Lesson 10: Compared to Whom? Selecting a Standard for Choosing Role Models

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathy Kater, LICSW, is a psychotherapist who has treated body image, eating, fitness, and weight problems for over 25 years. She is also the author of Real Kids Come in All Sizes: Ten Essential Lessons to Build Your Child’s Body Esteem.

REVIEW:

“Effective prevention programs have five core characteristics: (1) They are based on solid research; (2) are carefully tailored to the needs of teachers and to the developmental level of students; (3) provide engaging and creative activities; (4) challenge teachers and students to think critically about cultural and personal norms, values, and practices¾and to take public action in creating healthier environments for everyone; (5) and acknowledge that students, teachers, administrators, parents, and people in general need to work together to promote positive body images, healthy eating, and active lifestyles. In the newly revised Healthy Body Image, Kathy Kater does another exceptional job in the making these characteristics crystal clear to teachers and students alike.”
— Michael Levine, PhD, Kenyon College, former President of the National Eating Disorders Association