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A must for parents, teachers and counselors, this book targets preadolescent girls aiming to engage them in educational activites that will empower them to avoid eating disorders. The author examines eating disorders from sociocultural and feminist perspectives showing how disorders are most often caused by overexposure to media messages, an unrealistic cultural fascination with thinness, by continuous anaylsis of our bodies and a disordered cultural view of food. Then Menassa presents a 10-session guide to prevention that engages girls in activities to spur and empower their independent thinking and reasoning. For example, girls become watchdogs of the media and write to companies that present women in a negative light in their advertisements. The girls challenge ingrained beliefs and replace them with healthier ones.
Preadolescence is a time when girls' minds are malleable and they are willing to challenge established activities, such as media presentations. Once girls hit puberty, many will have already developed disordered eating behaviors; many will have been on several diets; therefore, beginning the work to decode and combat harmful messages before that stage is crucial.
List of contents
Acknowledgments
Copyright Acknowledgments
Preface
Literature Review
Rationale for Risk Factors
Overview of the Body Armor Program
Sessions
Appendix A: Forms and Questionaires
Appendix B: Taking a Closer Look
Appendix C: Having a Voice
Appendix D: Scales Are for Fish
Appendix E: Coping with Stress
Appendix F: Body Image
Appendix G: Putting It All Together
Appendix H: The More You Know
Appendix I: Resource Materials for Parents and Guardians
Endnotes
References
Index
About the author
BEVERLY MENASSA holds a degree in mental health counseling and is a LPCI at North Central Texas College.
