Social media could be sparking the change for women, expert says. When the saying, “strong is the new skinny” exploded on social media, it seemed like a positive step forward for female body image.

The body-positive movement has encouraged people, especially women, to see beauty in all shapes and sizes, and it's reminded us that body ideals are culturally constructed and not based on science.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Starre Vartan is the author of “The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells Us About the Power of the Female Body,” which will be published on July 15. People who lived through the Irish ...

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their ...