Smart People Don’t Diet

Body Image

Words Matter, Including “Fat,” “Obese,” “Curvy,” and “Heavy”

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on January 28, 2026

How clinicians describe people's bodies matters, and is more complicated than you may realize.

How clinicians describe people's bodies matters, and is more complicated than you may realize.

Eating Disorders

Can Acupuncture Help Treat Eating Disorders?

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on November 6, 2025

Since eating disorders are often chronic and difficult to treat, should alternative treatments such as acupuncture be considered?

Since eating disorders are often chronic and difficult to treat, should alternative treatments such as acupuncture be considered?

Body Image

Body Image in the Ozempic Era

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on September 9, 2025

Weight loss medications have received a lot of attention, but how effective are these medications at enabling sustainable weight loss? And do they improve body image?

Weight loss medications have received a lot of attention, but how effective are these medications at enabling sustainable weight loss? And do they improve body image?

Health

Are We Prepared for Rising Food Insecurity?

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on April 6, 2025

Food insecurity is a serious problem in the U.S. and it may be about to get worse. The consequences could be dire, including a rise in eating disorders.

Food insecurity is a serious problem in the U.S. and it may be about to get worse. The consequences could be dire, including a rise in eating disorders.

Eating Disorders

What to Do When You Think a Friend Has an Eating Disorder

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on January 30, 2025

It can be hard to know what to do or say if you're worried that your friend may have an eating disorder. These tips could help.

It can be hard to know what to do or say if you're worried that your friend may have an eating disorder. These tips could help.

Body Image

This Thanksgiving, Be Grateful for Your Body

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on November 26, 2024

Focusing on the qualities of our bodies that we are grateful for can enhance our body image.

Focusing on the qualities of our bodies that we are grateful for can enhance our body image.

Body Image

Show Don’t Tell: Parents’ Role in Promoting Positive Body Image

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on September 2, 2024

Parents want their kids to be confident and comfortable in their own skins. But they aren’t always sure how to accomplish this. New research can help.

Parents want their kids to be confident and comfortable in their own skins. But they aren’t always sure how to accomplish this. New research can help.

Body Image

Can I Raise a Body-Confident Kid if I’m Unhappy With My Own?

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on August 1, 2024

Parents hope their kids will grow up with a positive body image, even if they're dissatisfied their own. Here's how they can achieve it.

Parents hope their kids will grow up with a positive body image, even if they're dissatisfied their own. Here's how they can achieve it.

Body Image

The Probelmatic Pursuit of a “Beach Body”

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on July 8, 2024

Body image concerns can heat up as the weather does.

Body image concerns can heat up as the weather does.

Eating Disorders

Myths and Misbeliefs: Eating Disorder Edition

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on March 3, 2024

During Eating Disorders Awareness Week, learn the facts that could help save lives.

During Eating Disorders Awareness Week, learn the facts that could help save lives.

Body Image

The Top 5 Body Image Questions of 2023

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on December 20, 2023

Social media concerns, ways to spot eating disorders, and how to have a positive body image were among the top concerns.

Social media concerns, ways to spot eating disorders, and how to have a positive body image were among the top concerns.

Sex

How to Talk to Your Kids About Sexting

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on September 10, 2023

Teens understand the risks of sexting but they often do it anyway. How can parents help kids develop a secure sense of self and the desire for healthy relationships?

Teens understand the risks of sexting but they often do it anyway. How can parents help kids develop a secure sense of self and the desire for healthy relationships?

Body Image

Body Image and Barbie Mania

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on July 26, 2023

The 'Barbie' movie has set records this summer. But what does the research say about body image and playing with Barbies? Should you take your kids to see 'Barbie'?

The 'Barbie' movie has set records this summer. But what does the research say about body image and playing with Barbies? Should you take your kids to see 'Barbie'?

Bias

How to Have the "Fat Talk" With Your Kids

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on April 26, 2023

Putting kids on diets is not going to improve their health. Teaching them about body diversity and self-acceptance could.

Putting kids on diets is not going to improve their health. Teaching them about body diversity and self-acceptance could.

Body Image

Building Boys with Better Body Images

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on April 3, 2023

If you think that boys don't have body image concerns, you haven’t talked with many teen boys lately.

If you think that boys don't have body image concerns, you haven’t talked with many teen boys lately.

Media

When to Worry About Girls’ Social Media Use

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on October 24, 2022

Girls' use of social media may not lead to a body image problem, but that very much depends what they do while on platforms.

Girls' use of social media may not lead to a body image problem, but that very much depends what they do while on platforms.

Body Image

Boys Are Unhappy With Their Bodies, and We Need to Talk About It

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on September 13, 2022

Body dissatisfaction is not just a “girl problem." Boys are suffering, too. They’re just not talking about it.

Body dissatisfaction is not just a “girl problem." Boys are suffering, too. They’re just not talking about it.

Media

How Can We Prevent Body Image Harm on Social Media?

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on June 13, 2022

We know that social media may harm body image and that most efforts to mitigate harmful effects don't work. Where does that leave us?

We know that social media may harm body image and that most efforts to mitigate harmful effects don't work. Where does that leave us?

Sleep

How Your Sleep Habits Affect Your Eating Habits

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on June 6, 2022

Getting enough sleep is critical to good health—in large part, recent research suggests, because it helps us maintain healthy eating habits.

Getting enough sleep is critical to good health—in large part, recent research suggests, because it helps us maintain healthy eating habits.

Body Image

Can Appearance Investment Contribute to Positive Body Image?

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on April 23, 2022

Are you looking to improve your body image? Will beautification practices actually lead to body positivity?

Are you looking to improve your body image? Will beautification practices actually lead to body positivity?