About this Research Topic
The field of body image research is still relatively new. Body image encompasses the feelings, perceptions, beliefs and associated behaviours pertaining to one’s body. It includes a range of negative (e.g., body dissatisfaction) through to positive (e.g., body appreciation) concepts and experiences. Body image concerns affect the vast majority of the population, particularly girls and women. These concerns are associated with a range of serious health issues including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and substance abuse, as well as impacting overall quality of life.
As a result, it is critical to understand the risk and protective factors to prevent the development of negative body image, particularly in young people. There is also a great need to understand the factors which promote positive body image and to design effective educational interventions. Furthermore, owing to the large-scale nature of the problem of body image concerns, we need effective, scalable interventions that span different ages, genders, sexual orientations and ethnicities.
The 21st century has ushered in critical topics of interest in the field of body image that require additional research, such as the study of links between new technologies and body image. The COVID-19 pandemic has further reinforced the need for accessible online and digital body image resources. This special issue aims to highlight current innovations in body image research, essential topics of study at the forefront of body image research, and future directions for the field.
We welcome manuscript contributions of any type examining the following topics:
● Interventions for body image using technology
● Innovative research methods for investigating body image
● Prevention/Intervention/Education programs to increase positive body image
● Cross cultural perspectives on body image
● Investigations of body image in sexuality and gender diverse groups
● Evolution of social media and impacts on body image
As a result, it is critical to understand the risk and protective factors to prevent the development of negative body image, particularly in young people. There is also a great need to understand the factors which promote positive body image and to design effective educational interventions. Furthermore, owing to the large-scale nature of the problem of body image concerns, we need effective, scalable interventions that span different ages, genders, sexual orientations and ethnicities.
The 21st century has ushered in critical topics of interest in the field of body image that require additional research, such as the study of links between new technologies and body image. The COVID-19 pandemic has further reinforced the need for accessible online and digital body image resources. This special issue aims to highlight current innovations in body image research, essential topics of study at the forefront of body image research, and future directions for the field.
We welcome manuscript contributions of any type examining the following topics:
● Interventions for body image using technology
● Innovative research methods for investigating body image
● Prevention/Intervention/Education programs to increase positive body image
● Cross cultural perspectives on body image
● Investigations of body image in sexuality and gender diverse groups
● Evolution of social media and impacts on body image
Keywords: Body Image, Positive Body Image, Prevention, Intervention, Education, Internet, Technology, Media, COVID-19
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
