Body Image and Dissatisfaction: Theories and Cultural Considerations

Course overview

The past two decades have seen a marked increase of interest in body image. This intermediate-level course provides an overview of the complexities of body image and body dissatisfaction for a broad range of populations. This course reviews theoretical foundations of how cultural beauty ideals are transmitted. Through case examples and a review of research, it addresses the internalization of beauty messages in the media, the difference between body dissatisfaction and eating disorders, the relationship between a negative body image and mental health, and the potential progression from negative body image into a clinical eating disorder.