Mind Your Body

Body Image

Positive Body Image and Eating Disorders Among Men

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on July 11, 2022

How does the way men feel about their body impact their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors around eating? This study investigated these relationships among men over one year.

Body Image

What Impacts Women's Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery?

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on April 28, 2022

Cosmetic surgery is on the rise, worldwide. New research investigates what impacts women's attitudes toward cosmetic surgery and how these may differ across cultures.

Body Image

Identifying as Fat: Can It Buffer Weight Discrimination?

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on April 7, 2022

Weight-based discrimination is prevalent and harms well-being. A new study investigates the potential buffering effect of "fat-group identification."

Relationships

The Cosmetic Surgery Paradox

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on January 24, 2022

Modern women are both encouraged to undergo cosmetic surgery and condemned for doing so. A recent review explains why this "cosmetic surgery paradox" exists.

Body Image

Why Body-Positive Social Media May Be Good for You

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on November 22, 2021

The body-positive movement has become increasingly visible on social media as an antidote to beauty-ideal imagery. But does it actually contribute to positive body image?

Body Image

How Our Body Image Changes as We Age

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on August 27, 2021

A new study investigates how body satisfaction changes across the lifespan and between cohorts.

Body Image

How to Protect Your Body Image From Social Media

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on July 12, 2021

Social media can make people feel worse about their body. A new study reveals what "filtering" strategies people could use to foster and protect positive body image instead.

Body Image

Appreciating What the Body Can Do May Lower Weight Stigma

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on May 18, 2021

Weight stigma is prevalent and harmful. New research shows that appreciating the body functionality of others may be a helpful strategy to tackle weight stigma.

Body Image

What Do Women Think of Removing the “Likes” on Instagram?

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on April 23, 2021

A new study looks at women's attitudes toward removing Likes on Instagram. What are its potential benefits and drawbacks?

Body Image

Is Our Idea of the “Ideal” Body Malleable?

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on February 16, 2021

New research shows that your view of the "perfect body" may depend on the other bodies you see.

Body Image

Body Positivity: What Goes Around Comes Around?

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on December 17, 2020

"I appreciate your body because..." A new experiment shows why promoting body positivity to a close friend may be good for your own body image.

Body Image

Contemplating Mortality Can Be Good for Body Image

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on October 12, 2020

Can thinking about your own death be beneficial? New research reveals that death reflection can help people to feel more positively about how they look.

Body Image

How Do Our Relationships Influence Body Image?

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on September 8, 2020

New research suggests that how you feel about your body depends on who you spend time with.

Body Image

How Does Yoga Improve Body Image?

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on July 15, 2020

Yoga can help you to feel more positively about your body. But how does this work?

Body Image

Why Cosmetic Surgery Is Booming in China

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on May 13, 2020

A new study sheds light on attitudes toward cosmetic surgery in China, where the number of procedures is rising more rapidly than anywhere else in the world.

Personality

Is Personality Related to How You Feel About Your Looks?

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on April 17, 2020

How is your personality related to how you feel about your looks? New research uncovers the personality traits linked to body dissatisfaction.

Body Image

"Skin Wars" — A Lesson on the Significance of Body Painting

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on February 18, 2020

Skin Wars is a reality TV show that reveals the beauty of body painting. But it turns out that body painting is also an important teaching tool and survival mechanism.

Pregnancy

Expecting a Baby...and Body Dissatisfaction?

Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on January 23, 2020

Does pregnancy change how women think and feel about their bodies? A new study reveals the ways women might feel more—and less—dissatisfied with their bodies during pregnancy.