Handbook of Body Image
Edited by Tracy L Tylka, Jennifer B. Webb, Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, and Rachel F. Rodgers
Hardcovere-bookprint + e-book
Hardcover
pre-orderOctober 12, 2026
ISBN 9781462563890
Price: $80.00 658 Pages
Size: 7" x 10"
Digital professor copy available on VitalSource once published ?Bringing together leading international experts, this volume synthesizes current knowledge on body image—its dimensions (both positive and negative); biological, psychological, and sociocultural influences; varied expressions and outcomes; and exemplary prevention and intervention programs. Fifty-eight concise chapters, concluding with informative reading lists in place of extended references, capture the richness and complexity of the field. The Handbook emphasizes a global, intersectional approach and showcases innovative measurement tools and research designs. Cutting-edge topics include embodiment theory; body satisfaction and appreciation; the impact of social media; mindfulness- and acceptance-based treatment approaches; advances in eating disorder research; and future research directions, including the intersection of GLP-1 use and body image. This completely new volume is the successor to Body Image, Second Edition (2011), edited by Thomas F. Cash and Linda Smolak.
“This comprehensive, well-organized, and well-written handbook demonstrates that body image must be understood as a complex and dynamic set of psychological, interpersonal, and biologically based beliefs, experiences, and behaviors, all of which reflect and shape cultural processes operating at multiple levels. I challenge the reader to think of a topic pertaining to body image that is not addressed in a straightforward, research-oriented, respectful, and useful way in this handbook. If you work in the many fields relevant to body image, read these chapters in any order to become a better scholar, clinician, teacher, and advocate.”
—Michael P. Levine, PhD, FAED, Department of Psychology (Emeritus), Kenyon College
“This handbook brings together a world-class group of body image experts to offer a compelling and comprehensive review of the state of the science. The volume deftly covers a wide range of topics, providing a friendly entry point into this steadily growing area. I have no doubt that it will become the authoritative text on body image, guiding both research and clinical practice for many years to come.”
—Lauren Schaefer, PhD, Center for Biobehavioral Research, Sanford Research
“Having a positive body image, feeling good in one's own skin, and having a strong sense of self can be challenging in a society that places so much value on narrowly defined metrics of beauty. The study of body image has grown over the past few decades, with increasing evidence of the harmful consequences of a negative body image and the emergence of new assessment frameworks and tools. This outstanding volume is edited and written by experts in the field who incorporate the latest empirical, theoretical, and clinical developments. I intend to keep this 'must-have' book close at hand and use it often to inform my work.”
—Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PhD, MPH, RD, Regents Professor, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota
“A very welcome and valuable contribution. Leading figures in body image research and practice from across the globe clearly demonstrate how the field has developed in recent years and offer insights for the future. Chapters highlight the complexity of this fascinating subject, explore multifaceted influences on body image, and discuss ways to prevent and address problems at individual and societal levels. This is an extremely useful work for newcomers to the field as well as those looking for an accessible, authoritative update.”
—Diana Harcourt, PhD, Centre for Appearance Research, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
About the Editors
Tracy L. Tylka, PhD, is Professor in the Department of Psychology at The Ohio State University. Her primary research interests include positive body image, intuitive eating, and psychometric scale development and evaluation. Dr. Tylka is a Fellow of the Academy of Eating Disorders. She is Editor-in-Chief of Body Image: An International Journal of Research and is an author of the Body Appreciation Scale–2 and the Intuitive Eating Scale–3, as well as over 175 peer-reviewed articles, books, and book chapters.Jennifer B. Webb, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Science and in the Health Psychology PhD Program at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, where she directs the WE ARE MIND–BODY KYND Lab. Dr. Webb’s research program is informed by a non-dieting, weight-neutral philosophy on wellness equity promotion in culturally and body-diverse groups. Dr. Webb serves as an Associate Editor for Body Image: An International Journal of Research and is on the editorial boards of Eating Behaviors and the Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science.
Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, PhD, is Associate Dean for Research in the Faculty of Health at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. He is an Associate Editor for Body Image: An International Journal of Research and serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Eating Disorders. Dr. Fuller-Tyszkiewicz’s research focuses on the experiences of body image and eating disorder symptoms in daily life and on applications of digital health to assess, track, and address these symptoms as they arise.
Rachel F. Rodgers, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology at Northeastern University. Her research interests are in the area of body image, disordered eating, and adolescent/young adult psychopathology, focusing particularly on sociocultural influences on body image and eating concerns.