Abstract
Body dissatisfaction is associated with subsequent eating disorders and weight gain. One-off exposure to bodies of different sizes changes perception of others' bodies, and perception of and satisfaction with own body size. The effect of repeated exposure to bodies of different sizes has not been assessed. We randomized women into three groups, and they spent 5 min twice a day for a week completing a one-back task using images of women modified to appear either under, over, or neither over- nor underweight. We tested the effects on their perception of their own and others' body size, and satisfaction with own size. Measures at follow-up were compared between groups, adjusted for baseline measurements. In 93 women aged 18–30 years, images of other women were perceived as larger following exposure to underweight women (and vice versa) (p < 0.001). There was no evidence for a difference in our primary outcome measure (visual analogue scale own size) or in satisfaction with own size. Avatar-constructed ideal (p = 0.03) and avatar-constructed perceived own body size (p = 0.007) both decreased following exposure to underweight women, possibly due to adaptation affecting how the avatar was perceived. Repeated exposure to different sized bodies changes perception of the size of others' bodies, but we did not find evidence that it changes perceived own size.
Highlights
Body dissatisfaction is an important risk factor for both subsequent eating disorders [1,2] and weight gain [3]
Limitations of these previous studies include small sample size [16,17,18], and images lacking in ecological validity since they were uniformly modified to appear of different sizes rather than manipulated in line with typical patterns of weight gain [19]
The pre-specified primary outcome measure was scored on a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) measure of own size from too thin (0) to too fat (10), and the secondary outcome measure was VAS satisfaction with own size from very dissatisfied (0) to very dissatisfied (10)
Summary
Body dissatisfaction is an important risk factor for both subsequent eating disorders [1,2] and weight gain [3]. Previous work from our group [19] found that exposure to images of women stretched to appear underweight, overweight or normal weight altered participants’ view of their own actual size, as viewed in a mirror, and their satisfaction with own size: those exposed to overweight images subsequently viewed themselves as smaller and were more satisfied with their size, compared to those who saw the same women manipulated to appear underweight Limitations of these previous studies include small sample size [16,17,18], and images lacking in ecological validity since they were uniformly modified to appear of different sizes rather than manipulated in line with typical patterns of weight gain [19]. We included additional outcome measures, including measures designed to enable participants to show us the perceived size and shape of their current and ideal body using an avatar, to capture behavioural changes related to body satisfaction, and exploratory measures to assess implicit perception of and satisfaction with own body size
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
