Being You The Body Image Book for Boys Synopsis
From early childhood boys often feel pressured to be athletic and muscular. But what impact does this have on physical and mental well-being through their teens and beyond?
Worryingly, a third of teen boys are trying to 'bulk up' due to body dissatisfaction, and boys and men account for 25% of eating disorder cases. What can we tell our boys to help them feel happy and confident simply being themselves?
Being You has the answers!
It's an easy-to-read, evidence-based guide to developing a positive body image for boys aged 12+. It covers all the facts on puberty, diet, exercise, self-care, mental health, social media, and everything in-between.
Boys will find answers to the questions most on their mind, the truth behind many diet and exercise myths, and real-life stories from other boys. Armed with this book, they will understand that muscles don't make a man - it's enough simply being you!
About This Edition
Charlotte Markey, Daniel Hart, Douglas Zacher Press Reviews
'The Body Image Book for Boys contains every single piece of information that doctors and experts want teenage boys to know- but rarely get the chance to tell them... Delivered with a thoughtful, empathetic, and intelligent tone, and filled with detailed, evidence-based content, this book is ideal for boys who are hungry for knowledge about what is happening in their bodies, and how best to look after their physical and mental health. The authors communicate complex issues and information in interesting and detailed ways. They dispel the myths, and share the stories of numerous adolescent boys with a range of different attitudes toward, or experiences of, their bodies. This book covers such a wide range of topics - the physical, the emotional, and everything in between. Strongly recommend.' Dr Zali Yager, Executive Director, The Body Confident Collective
'In Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys, we finally publicly recognize that boys are just as privy to societal standards for unrealistic, perfect bodies and the pressure to still try to conform. Finally, we give boys the tools to recognize these problems and find solutions for themselves and peers. This book is jam-packed with the basics boys need to know about their physical and mental health as well as the red flag behaviors and conditions to watch out for. It translates research and terminology into understandable concepts, along with quotes from professionals and stories from older adolescents. Many patients that I've seen in my Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine training would have greatly benefited from this book and I am excited for the boys I get to recommend it to very soon.' Rebekah Fenton, MD, Pediatrician and Adolescent Medicine Fellow, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
'This is a terrific book which frankly and kindly guides adolescent boys to develop a positive body image in terms of what they can't change, what they can indeed learn to do, and the wisdom and self-compassion to learn the difference. With a skilful blend of definitions and explanations, plus advice from experts and a diverse set of adolescent boys and young men, the authors deftly transform scientific research findings into practical advice that respects the desires, needs, stressors, and appearance concerns of adolescent boys. Parents, grandparents, pediatricians, teachers, clergy, and others would also benefit from this book so that they are prepared to challenge the many sociocultural messages that make it all too easy for boys to use the petri dish of toxic masculinity to cultivate a negative body image and other unhealthy habits.' Michael P. Levine, Ph.D., FAED, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, Kenyon College
'The ultimate handbook to help boys navigate puberty and develop a healthy body image. Packed full of practical and evidence-based advice on diet, fitness, and mental health, it addresses boys' body image concerns head-on. A must read. Being You will help boys appreciate they have more to offer the world than how they look.' Judi Craddock, author of The Little Book of Body Confidence
'This book gives boys the crucial skills and language to talk about - and hopefully improve - the relationship they have with their bodies. These conversations are often taboo for both men and boys, but this book provides the necessary roadmap to tackle them in a compassionate and productive way. In short, this book is a must for anyone trying to support the young boys and men in their lives.' Jeffrey Hunger, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Social Psychology, Department of Psychology, Miami University, Ohio
'Teen boys face immense body image pressures from social media and peers now more than ever, but these important issues are rarely acknowledged or discussed. Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys is an invaluable resource designed for boys to promote a positive body image based on the latest scientific evidence, expert advice, and real-life stories.' Jason Nagata, M.D., University of California, San Francisco
'Finally, a book dedicated to the experience of boys and body image. It's not just an issue that impacts girls, in fact, anyone with a body has a sense of their own body image. Drs Markey, Hart and Zacher write about the unique experiences of boys and men and their relationship with their bodies such as feeling the pressure to be lean and muscular. The scientific research presented is supported by the stories of real boys and men in their own voices making the content highly relatable. There is a range of great tips to help boys improve their sense of body image as well as encouragement to become the changemakers in promoting positive body image in society more generally. A highly useful resource for boys and everyone who supports them.' Dr Gemma Sharp, Senior Research Fellow & Clinical Psychologist, Leader, Body Image Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University
About Charlotte Markey, Daniel Hart, Douglas Zacher
Dr. Charlotte Markey is Professor of Psychology and Founding Director of the Health Sciences Center at Rutgers University, Camden. She is a world-leading expert in body image research, having studied body image, eating behaviour and weight management for over twenty-five years. Through all her roles as a scientist, teacher, writer and parent she is passionate about understanding what makes us feel good about our bodies and helping others to develop a healthy body image. Dr Markey is the author of four books, including The Body Image Book for Girls. Her research has gained widespread media attention, having been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Economist, ABC News and Time Magazine.
Dr. Daniel Hart is a developmental psychologist and distinguished professor of psychology at Rutgers University, Camden, and has studied and worked with adolescents and young adults for more than 30 years. He has written several books, including Becoming Men. Dan is passionate about understanding factors that lead to healthy development, especially when young people experience disadvantaged upbringings.
Douglas Zacher, M.A., is currently studying for a doctorate in public affairs at Rutgers University, Camden, where he is also a part-time lecturer teaching psychology classes. He has a long-standing interest in issues around mental health, eating, education, and public policy, and he conducted many of the interviews that appear in this book.
Check him out on Twitter @ZacherDouglas
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