Beauty Sick

How the cultural obsession with appearance hurts girls and women.

Renee Engeln Ph.D.

You Don’t Have to Feel Beautiful to Care for Your Body

New studies show how women who struggle with body image can practice a kinder, gentler way of thinking about their body.

Three “Positive Body Image” Songs That Actually Aren’t

Given the flood of truly body-positive songs released recently, why not demand more from our lyrics and stick with songs that send healthier messages?

Why You Can't Stop Comparing Yourself to Media Images

Even when researchers showed women thin-ideal media images at a subconscious level, their body esteem still took a hit.

Want to Improve Your Body Image? Head Outside.

The next time you feel down about how you look, step away from the mirror and head to the park.

Three Questions to Ask Before Posting That Selfie

A few moments of reflection before you hit "post" can lead to healthier social media decisions.

I Am Woman, Hear Me Crunch

We don’t need quieter junk food. We need a complete revision of our relationships with food and our bodies.

A Body Image Holiday Wish List

During the time of year when we take special care to show love to others, don’t forget to show your body that same kindness.

Why We Need to Stop Telling Little Girls How Pretty They Are

When we constantly tell little girls how pretty they are, we communicate that looks matter more than other qualities.

Stop Saying “You Are Beautiful”

They're well intended. But those “You are beautiful” messages can be harmful.

Is It Dangerous for Celebrities to Talk About Anorexia?

Celebrities regularly share the details of their mental health with fans, but when it comes to eating disorders, these disclosures could lead to negative outcomes.

Seven Ways to Fight the Body Image Blues

Let’s reclaim some of that time we spend despairing about our bodies and get back to what really matters.

The Ugly Truth About Silencing Women

When we ignore what women say in order to focus on how they look, we stifle meaningful debate and feed a culture that is already too saturated with appearance-driven commentary.

Enough Talk of Bikini Bodies

Women who want to improve their fitness need realistic, healthy goals — not shame.

Dove’s Latest Body Positivity Failure

If Dove’s bottles could speak, they’d blend right into the chorus of voices encouraging women to take an objectified perspective on their own bodies.

A Gift From Mothers to Daughters

The messages we hear about women and beauty make it hard to have healthy attitudes toward our bodies. But we can make certain those messages stop at our own front door.

Body Shame Is Not a Diet Plan

Fostering body shame is not an effective way to get healthy. Shame makes you want to withdraw from important activities and meaningful connections with others. Shame can be a threa