Body image, eating disorders, and obesity in youth

The physical and mental health consequences of body image problems, eating disorders, and obesity in children and adolescents can be serious and can extend into adulthood. But as the empirical data presented in this second edition of a this volume show, these disorders are preventable and treatable. Research in these three areas has exploded since the publication of the first edition, and in these new pages leading researchers and practitioners detail recent progress in treatment and discuss areas of persisting challenge. Risk factors for these conditions appear early in development, and many of these factors are social and familial. Cultural variables play a powerful role, too, and the authors in this book demonstrate how body image and eating problems present and vary across ethnic groups and in boys and girls. It considers all three of these challenging areas together, and provides a range of information, from very early experience through treatment. All chapters are empirically based and contain suggestions for future research. This book assimilates up-to-date information into a form that is readily accessible by clinicians, researchers, and students.