Center for Body Image Research and Policy

Body image is an issue that many people feel that they struggle with, and sometimes from a young age. Psychologists are interested in how parenting may shape a child’s self-body image and how that could lead to a positive relationship with their body. Female bodies in particular are under intense social pressure to fit into publicly perceived desirable body types. A recent study published in the journal Body Image reports the results of interviews with 30 fathers who have daughters between the ages of 5 and 10. The researchers asked the fathers about what conversations they have had with their daughters about body image.