A provocative expos of America's self-defeating war on obesity challenges conventional wisdom regarding the cultural, medical, and political meaning of weight, arguing against the myth that falsely equates thinness with health and explaining why dieting is bad for the health, how the media misinform the public, and the link between racial and body-

    It addresses critical issues of body preoccupation and reduces risk for disordered eating in girls (grades 3-8). Emphasizing girls' personal power and overall mental and physical well-being, Full of Ourselves contains a range of upbeat units that foster:Increased self and body acceptance Healthier eating and exercise habits Leadership and media literacy skills A range of coping skills for resisting unhealthy peer and cultural pressures Each unit ends with a "Call to Action" to help girls translate their new-found knowledge into positive action at school, home, and in their community. Older girls are trained as peer leaders and given the opportunity to pass along their learning to younger peers.Evaluated with more than 800 girls, this primary prevention curriculum is the first of its kind to show sustained, positive changes in girls' body image, body satisfaction, and body esteem. Educators, health professionals, counselors, and parents will find Full of Ourselves the ideal resource for helping girls make healthy choices for themselves.