•
•
As educators, we are aware that students' negative body
image is a serious issue. Fortunately, we are in a perfect position to help. This portal aims to assist, by providing links to quality resources that encourage
a media literacy approach to promoting positive body image. This portal is for teachers of all age groups. Research
indicates that positive body image promotion and the skills of media literacy should be taught as early as possible.
The main focus of this portal is body image, rather than eating disorders, as teaching
the signs and symptoms of eating disorders has been proven ineffective and even harmful. However, as these topics are
inextricably linked, those seeking detailed information about eating disorders will find quality resources and links on the
sites listed here.
Girls and women are still disproportionately targeted by the media's beauty
images, and the resources reflect this fact. This does not mean that boys and men should be excluded from exploring
these issues; their awareness and input is essential. Additionally, it is important to note that males are increasingly experiencing negative body image
and, like females, their best defence is media literacy. We all need to be savvy!
