The Healthy Eating and Body Image Lab is located in rooms 104 and 214 of the Graduate Center and on campus in FLC rooms 418 and 419.

About Our Research

The rates of eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image disturbances are increasing among male and female adolescents and young adults. It is imperative to understand the nature of these disorders as well as the factors associated with their development. Personal characteristics as well as family, peer, romantic partner, and other sociocultural influences play a significant role and are thoroughly investigated in our work.

Recent News

Awesome Tech in the Lab:
​Eye Tracking Software

We are thrilled that we have the Tobii X2-60 eye tracking system! The Tobii X2-60 does not require the use of special glasses or goggles. It is a small device placed at the bottom of the computer monitor, and it measures eye movement using infrared light. This technology is being used in the How We Look at Toys, and How We Think about Ourselves study.

Upcoming Presentations:

Posters to be presented at the society for Research in Child Development in Baltimore, Maryland

First Poster: Does Playing with Barbies in Childhood Affect Later Body Image? 
  • Authors: Elizabeth Blodgett Salafia, Emma Johnson, Kerrie Leonard, Maegan Jones
Second Poster: The Mediating Effects of Intimacy Between Sibling Body Talk and Body Dissatisfaction in Female Adolescents
  • Authors: Emma Johnson, Elizabeth Blodgett Salafia
Third Poster: Examination of Desire for Muscle Gain Among Non-Athletic Adolescents and College-Aged Women
  • Authors: Emma Johnson, Elizabeth Blodgett Salafia, Kerrie Leonard

Poster Presented at International Conference on Education in Honolulu, Hawaii

Dr, Salafia and Emma Johnson's collaborative work was on display at the 18th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education this past January
​
Poster title: The Importance Of An Interdisciplinary Approach in Graduate Work in Developmental Science
 
​Authors: Elizabeth Blodgett Salafia and Emma Johnson
In the News!

NDSU's student run Spectrum recently interviewed Dr. Salafia about her thoughts on body image, as well as our recent research. Click here to read the article!

The Fargo Forum has also written about our research before.

What's to blame? NDSU study finds disparity between what people with and without eating disorders think causes them.

Revel vs. Rogue: Freedom, challenges can help parents curb risky teen behaviors
Magazine Articles
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​Blodgett Salafia, E. H. (2010). Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating: What Are the Differences? Eat Smart, Play Hard, Together Magazine (2010-2011 Edition), 10-11.
DifferencesEatingDOvDisorderedEating
File Size: 182 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Blodgett Salafia, E. H., Jones, M. E., Zolnikov, T. R., & Brennan, A. L. (2014). Busting Myths and Presenting Facts about Eating Disorders. Eat Smart, Play Hard, Together Magazine (2014-2015 Edition), 10-11.
EatingDisordersMythsFacts
File Size: 111 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Blodgett Salafia, E. H., Jones, M. E., Suffolk, M., & Carlson, B. (2016). Healthy Parents, Health Children: Be Mindful of Your Body Talk. Eat Smart, Play Hard, Together Magazine (2016-2017 Edition), 16-17.
North Dakota State University | Human Development and Family Science Department
Mailing Address:  NDSU Department 2615 | PO Box 6050 | Fargo, ND 58108-6050
701-231-8268 | www.ndsu.edu/hdfs