CUP lands second body image book from Markey

Cambridge University Press (CUP) has landed a second body image book by Dr Charlotte Markey, this time focusing on boys. 

Sarah Marsh, commissioning editor for medicine at CUP, acquired world rights including digital for Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys direct from the authors, who also include Daniel Hart and Douglas Zacher of Rutgers University. It will publish in April 2022 in paperback and will be accompanied by a major marketing and publicity campaign including national media outreach, online and social media advertising, and events.

The publisher said: "Studies show that a third of teen boys are trying to 'bulk up' due to body dissatisfaction, and boys and men account for 25% of eating disorder cases. Being You helps boys to understand and appreciate their bodies as they become young men and to navigate their way through inaccurate health/diet information and unrealistic body ideals portrayed in the media. It encourages ways to take care of mental and physical heath to improve body image and overall wellbeing and to establish positive habits they can take with them into adulthood."

Marsh said: “We’re thrilled to be publishing another book by the brilliant Dr Markey, and following the success of The Body Image Book for Girls. The statistics on body image dissatisfaction among boys are deeply worrying but Being You helps them feel happy and confident simply being themselves. Boys will find answers to the questions most on their mind, the truth behind many diet and exercise myths, and real-life stories from other boys.”

Markey said: “I am so incredibly happy to be publishing a second book with the team at Cambridge University Press. Body image has long been conceptualised as a 'female issue,' and because parents and educators don’t expect boys to experience body dissatisfaction, they often miss the signs of unhealthy and disordered behaviours. To make matters worse, boys experience a sociocultural silencing that doesn’t allow them to share their feelings, gain practice articulating their vulnerabilities, or seek out help when they need it. Being You is the resource boys need to appreciate that they are okay just as they are!”