No Body's Perfect

A helper's guide to promoting positive body image in children and young people

by Dr Vivienne Lewis

Body image doesn't discriminate gender or age. Yet its importance to our health, both mental and physical, is vital. A negative body image in childhood can lead to a lifetime of struggle and self-doubt. 

In today's image-conscious world it is important that we help children and youngsters feel better about their bodies. No Body's Perfect is designed to do just that. Written for teachers, counsellors, parents, and carers it promotes positive body image and good mental health using easy to implement evidence-based strategies.

It is appropriate for use with children aged six years and up and features stories and examples from children, young people, parents and teachers of both genders, different cultural backgrounds, and a range of ages to help inspire and engage.
 
Recommendations are also made for teachers to foster healthy body image and well-being at the school, class and student level. Topics covered include:

• how to be a positive role model to others,
• how to handle teasing and body bashing,
• the dangers of dieting, 
• how to be media literate, 
• why and where to go to for help.

About the Author
Dr Vivienne Lewis is a clinical psychologist and body image expert with over 15 years experience as a researcher and clinician. She specialises in working with children, young people and adults with body image issues and eating disorders and has seen her clients improve their lives through using the strategies in this book. Dr Lewis has also consulted with many schools to assist in their promotion of a body image friendly environment for not just children and young people but also for teaching staff. This is her second book. She published ‘Positive Bodies: Loving The Skin You’re In’, a self-help book for adults and young people of both genders struggling with body image issues. At the University of Canberra she has run and researched a positive body image group program for women as well as training Clinical Masters of Psychology students in how to work with people with body image issues and eating disorders. She presents her research and clinical work at international conferences and is a regular speaker for media informing the public about psychological science in an easy to understand manner. Dr Lewis is significantly involved with the Australian Psychological Society and runs the ACT Mental Health Professionals network special interest group on eating disorders. She is passionate about her work, celebrating body diversity and acceptance and practices clinically in Canberra, Australia. 

Table of Contents

About this book
Chapter 1. What's all the fuss about body image?
Chapter 2. Understanding your own body image and self-help so you can help others.
Chapter 3. The essentials of positive role modelling.
Chapter 4. Boys to Men - Talking to Boys about body image.
Chapter 5. Media literacy - Talking to kids about media messages and safe use.
Chapter 6. Puberty explained - Help, my body is changing.
Chapter 7. Teasing and Body bashing - It's not okay.
Chapter 8. Eating Disorders - What are they and how to talk about them.
Chapter 9. What's mental health and how to I get some of that?
Chapter 10. Relaxation and fostering positive emotions in yourself and others.
Chapter 11. Concluding comments and guidelines for creating body image friendly schools.
Bibliography
Appendix A Resources for children, young people and parents across the globe

ISBN: 9781922117748
Pages: 177
Format: Softcover
Released: 2016