Stacey Dunn featured as expert

Dr. Stacey Tantleff-Dunn, an associate professor of Psychology, specializes in research about male and female body image and eating behaviors. She directs the Laboratory for the Study of Eating, Appearance and Health at UCF.

She was recently featured on UCF TODAY as an expert.

Tantleff-Dunn can address how images of thin, beautiful models and muscular, bare-chested men in the movies and on television can affect self-esteem and lead to unhealthy habits, such as extreme exercising, drug abuse and eating disorders.

While many studies have examined female body image, Tantleff-Dunn and UCF graduate student Daniel Agliata were among the first to examine how “a culture of muscularity” affects the well-being of men.
Tantleff-Dunn also is studying how characters in video games and movies can affect the body image of young boys and girls.

The UCF Laboratory for the Study of Eating, Appearance and Health strives to better understand body image and eating disorders through research and psychological services provided to adolescents and adults.

Tantleff-Dunn began teaching at UCF in 1996 after she received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of South Florida and taught there as a visiting assistant professor for two years. Her research interests include body image, eating behavior, interpersonal relationships and influences and women’s issues. She has a part-time private practice in Winter Park, Fla., where she specializes in couples therapy.