From Australia, ACER(Australian Council for Education Research)
326 pg, paper, '07

Body dissatisfaction in young males and females has increased dramatically in the last few decades, with an increased prevalence of dieting, eating disorders, obsessive exercise, excessive weight-lifting and steroid abuse. Recent research found that the successful implementation of a self-esteem program can ward off the development of body image concerns and eating problems in young people.

Everybody's Different details how to apply the self-esteem approach in schools, community settings and clinical situations to improve body image conceptions, prevent eating disorders and obesity, and foster health, nutrition and physical activity in young people.

The book takes a while-school approach to promoting overall health among students. It contains information, case studies and research outcomes, as well as classroom activities and work sheets about health, self-esteem development, growth, puberty, nutrition and media literacy for body image improvement.

Everybody's Different explains how to implement school-based obesity prevention programs that are certain to benefit and 'do no harm' to otherwise weight-sensitive young people. It also covers how to combine body image improvement programs and obesity prevention initiatives in school curriculum, school policies and activities, community links and teacher training.

CONTENTS:

1 – Body Image and Health in Children and Adolescents
2 – Body Image and Eating Problems Among Boys and Girls
3 – Positive Body Image Programs in School
4 – Developing Self-Esteem
5 – Media Literacy for a Positive Body Image
6 – Growth, Development and Puberty
7 – A Positive Approach to Food and Nutrition
8 – Weight Issues and Child Obesity Prevention
9 – The Role of Teachers in Body Image Development and Prevention of Obesity
10 – A whole-school Approach to Body Image and Obesity
11 – Summary and Conclusions

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Jenny O’Dea is a dietitian, health and nutrition education researcher and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney. She has written three books on child nutrition and health, and is conducting two Australian Research Council studies about food habits, physical activity, sport, growth, pubertal development, body image and weight issues among children and adolescents.