Body Image Evaluation Research Articles

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa.

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a life-threatening illness with poor treatment outcomes. Although transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising non-invasive brain stimulation method, its effect in patients with AN remains unclear.Objective: This study investigated changes in maladaptive eating behavior, body mass index (BMI), and depression after 10 sessions of anodal tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).Methods: In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 43 inpatients with AN were divided to receive either active (n = 22) or sham (n = 21) tDCS over the left DLPFC (anode F3/cathode Fp2, 2 mA for 30 min). All patients filled the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZUNG), and their BMI was measured. These values were obtained repeatedly in four stages: (1) before tDCS treatment, (2) after tDCS treatment, (3) in the follow-up after 2 weeks, and (4) in the follow-up after 4 weeks.Results: Primary outcomes (EDE-Q) based on the ANOVA results do not show any between-group differences either after the active part of the study or in the follow-up. Secondary analysis reveals a reduction in some items of EDE-Q. Compared with sham tDCS, active tDCS significantly improved self-evaluation based on body shape (p < 0.05) and significantly decreased the need of excessive control over calorie intake (p < 0.05) in the 4-week follow-up. However, the results do not survive multiple comparison correction. In both sham and active groups, the BMI values improved, albeit not significantly.Conclusion: We did not observe a significant effect of tDCS over the left DLPFC on complex psychopathology and weight recovery in patients with AN. tDCS reduced the need to follow specific dietary rules and improved body image evaluation in patients with AN. Tests with a larger sample and different positions of electrodes are needed.Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03273205.

Eating behavior and body image of women with breast cancer

Background: The term “eating behavior” refers to all actions involving the act of eating. Body image can be defined by understanding the shape, size, and weight of the body, and encompasses the affective, cognitive, and behavioral components. The objective of this study was to analyze the eating behavior and body image of women with breast cancer. Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study conducted at the Centro Regional Integrado de Oncologia, with women aged between 19 and 59 years, diagnosed with breast cancer. Socioeconomic, clinical, anthropometric data, body image and eating behavior of the sample were collected. The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and the Kakeshita Silhouette Scale were used to evaluate body image, and for eating behavior, the Portuguese version of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) was used. Results: Among the women studied, 43.3% were aged between 50 and 59 years. Overweight was the most prevalent nutritional status in 43.3% of the sample. Women with a mild degree of dissatisfaction presented means of habitual weight (p=0.04), current weight (p=0.02), waist circumference (p=0.04) and BMI (p<0.01) higher than those who did not present any dissatisfaction. Most women, with a predominance of restrained eating behavior, presented a mild degree of body dissatisfaction (p-value=<0.01). All those evaluated who presented a mild degree of dissatisfaction were dissatisfied with body image (p=0.03). Conclusion: Most of the women evaluated were dissatisfied with body image. Restrained eating behavior was predominant and strongly correlated with mild body dissatisfaction levels. Higher BMI means were found in women who presented mild body dissatisfaction.

Body image in children with gender incongruence.

Background:In the DSM-5 diagnosis of childhood Gender Dysphoria, two of the eight criteria focus on body satisfaction of the child. Nevertheless, this subject is understudied. This study aims to describe the body image of children with gender incongruence (GI) in relation to birth assigned sex and the intensity of GI.Method:Self-report and parent-report measures on body satisfaction and gender incongruence were obtained from 207 children (<12 years) who were referred to the Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUmc, between 2010 and 2016. First, a general description of body satisfaction in children who took part in this study is provided. Secondly, body image of birth assigned boys and girls are compared using chi-square tests and univariate ANCOVA’s. Thirdly, the association between intensity of GI and body image is examined using multiple linear regression analyses.Results:Of the 207 children with GI, 50% reported dissatisfaction with their gender-specific characteristics. Overall, children were less dissatisfied with their neutral body characteristics. Birth assigned girls report greater dissatisfaction with their body characteristics than birth assigned boys. Intensity of GI was significantly related to satisfaction with gender specific body characteristics where a greater intensity of GI relates to more body dissatisfaction.Conclusion:Mental health practitioners should be aware of the diversity in body dissatisfaction in this group. Furthermore, evaluation of body image should be an important topic in the counseling of these children. Future research should focus on the relation of body dissatisfaction and the development of gender incongruent feelings in children with GI.

The Relationships between body image, self-esteem, and future consumption behaviors of college students participating in sports

Participation in sports activities help to establish positive body image. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationships between body image, self-esteem, and future consumption behavior. To this end, college students who have experience in participating in sports activities were chosen and a questionnaire survey was conducted. A total of 280 questionnaires were distributed and 256 submissions were analyzed with frequency analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. The results of this study are as follows: 1) among the sub-factors of body image, body satisfaction and appearance evaluation show statistically positive effects on self-esteem while appearance-oriented attitude does not show statistically significant effect. Second, the three sub-factors of body image do not have significant effects on future consumption behavior. Third, self-esteem has a positive effect on future consumption behavior. The results of this study show that establishing positive body image helps people to enhance their self-esteem and high self-esteem built based on positive body image, which is formed by participating in sports activities, provokes future consumption behavior. Therefore, further research examining the relationships between the variables of this study needs to be conducted and the findings will ultimately contribute to the growth of sports industry.

Association between body image dissatisfaction and poor quality of life and depression among patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

This study aims to evaluate the association between body image dissatisfaction and quality of life and depression among patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We conducted a cross-sectional survey at three university-based HSCT outpatient clinics and the Korea Blood Cancer Association. We assessed the body image using the body image scale; quality of life and depression were measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9, respectively. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used to find an association between body image, quality of life, and depression. Among 163 study participants, 71.8% were male, and the mean age of the participants was 48.3 (SD = 11.2). Over 70% of the participants reported that they felt less physically and sexually attractive due to HSCT, and 39.3% of the patients were dissatisfied with their body image. In fully adjusted models, patients with dissatisfied body image had significantly poorer quality of life (- 13.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] = - 18.16, - 9.21). Moreover, patients with body image dissatisfaction were 8.59 times (95% CI = 3.79, 19.48) more likely to have depressive symptoms than patients without it. The majority of HSCT patients experienced body image dissatisfaction, which was significantly associated with poor quality of life and depression. It would be essential to evaluate body image after HSCT and provide appropriate interventions for preventing further psychological consequences.

Body image, disordered eating, higher weight, and their associated factors: Can we use the same scales to measure constructs across different countries?

It is important that scales that evaluate body image and related attitudes and behaviors are both reliable and valid to evaluate these constructs in different countries. This paper introduces a series of five papers that examine the measurement invariance of multiple scales for men and women across eight countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain, and the US). The papers examined measures of: sociocultural influences (i.e., appearance-related pressures) on strategies to lose weight/increase muscle; internalization of the thin/muscular ideal; body image; personality constructs; body change strategies to increase muscles and lose weight; and eating regulation. Measurement invariance was generally well-established across the eight countries. One or more items were removed in some scales for some countries to establish invariance. Factor loadings were equivalent across countries and refined scales demonstrated acceptable levels of reliability. The most frequent difference in the scales was in the item intercepts across groups, although most item intercepts were equivalent across groups. This series of papers makes an important contribution to the body image literature by demonstrating the validity of measures of body image, disordered eating, and sociocultural factors that can be used to better understand the relationship between these variables across different countries.

The role of sexual orientation in the relationships between body perception, body weight dissatisfaction, physical comparison, and eating psychopathology in the cisgender population

PurposeBody weight dissatisfaction (BWD) and visual body perception are specific aspects that can influence the own body image, and that can concur with the development or the maintenance of specific psychopathological dimensions of different psychiatric disorders. The sexual orientation is a fundamental but understudied aspect in this field, and, for this reason, the purpose of this study is to improve knowledge about the relationships among BWD, visual body size-perception, and sexual orientation.MethodsA total of 1033 individuals participated in an online survey. Physical comparison, depression, and self-esteem was evaluated, as well as sexual orientation and the presence of an eating disorder. A Figure Rating Scale was used to assess different valences of body weight, and mediation analyses were performed to investigated specific relationships between psychological aspects.ResultsBisexual women and gay men reported significantly higher BWD than other groups (p < 0.001); instead, higher body misperception was present in gay men (p = 0.001). Physical appearance comparison mediated the effect of sexual orientation in both BWD and perceptual distortion. No difference emerged between women with a history of eating disorders and without, as regards the value of body weight attributed to attractiveness, health, and presence on social media.ConclusionThis study contributes to understanding the relationship between sexual orientations and body image representation and evaluation. Physical appearance comparisons should be considered as critical psychological factors that can improve and affect well-being. The impact on subjects with high levels of eating concerns is also discussed.Level of evidenceLevel III: case–control analytic study.

Child Body Concerns and Behavior Scale: Development and Psychometric Properties of a Body Image Scale for Children.

There are few instruments with good validity and reliability for evaluating body image in children. In this study we aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a scale for Brazilian children. In Study 1, we developed 53 items on the basis of a literature review, previous body image scales and qualitative study. We developed the item format and response options and developed instructions for both researchers and participants. In Study 2, we used 10 experts and 21 boys and girls aged 7-11 years (M = 8.25 years, SD = 1.70) to evaluate item content and semantics. The scale went through further refinement, leading to the exclusion of some items and the modification of others. In Study 3, we analyzed the instrument's psychometric properties in 571 girls (M = 9.17 years of age, SD = 1.23) and 597 boys (M = 9.32 years, SD = 1.24) from all over Brazil, using exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses with independent samples. The scale's final version for females was composed of 17 items divided into five factors; and the final male version included 13 items and two factors. Both versions presented satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity, and these scales can now be used reliably with 7-11 year old Brazilian children.

Estado nutricional e percepção da imagem corporal de usuários da atenção básica de uma cidade do interior da Bahia

Introduction: Currently, there is a greater concern of individuals with vision and imposition of perfect body. The change in the perception of the body image is motivated by social, environmental and, strongly, by the media, which imposes a beauty pattern associated with thinness or muscular bodies. A distorted view of the actual body image has repercussions on the levels of well-being and self-esteem, as well as in the decision-making related to nutrition and health in general. The objective of this study is to verify the anthropometric nutritional status and perception of the body image of users of primary care. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted with users of primary care in the city of Fátima-Bahia. Socio-demographic information, anthropometric evaluation (weight, height and waist circumference) and perception of ideal and real body image were collected. Results: 89 users participating in the HiperDia program participated in the study, the most were women (87.6%) and adults (67.4%). Regarding nutritional status, 61.8% were overweight and 79.8% had abdominal fat accumulation. Most of the individuals showed dissatisfaction due to overweight (78.7%) and 6.7% of dissatisfaction for thinness. Of the individuals with adequate nutritional status, 73.5% also had some type of body dissatisfaction (both for thinness or excess). Conclusion: The majority of subjects presented with overweight and body image dissatisfaction. It is essential to evaluate the body image of the individuals on the part of the health professionals, assisting the clinical practice and guaranteeing an integral attention to the individual.

Eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, and body image pathology in female Australian models

ObjectiveFemale models are commonly viewed as “at‐risk” for eating and body image disorders. However, the existing literature is sparse and provides inconsistent evidence. It subsequently fails to decipher whether models are truly at any greater risk for body image disorders than non‐models. Such discrepancies may exist due to differences in population, method, and assessment, particularly where previous studies have focused on evaluative body image that mostly reflect normative body image concerns. This study sought to examine body image disturbance, dysmorphic appearance concern, the rate of probable eating disorders (EDs) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), depression, anxiety, stress, self‐esteem, and functional impairment in models.MethodA sample of 100 female models was compared to 100 age‐matched tertiary students on measures of ED symptoms, body dysmorphic symptoms, psychopathology, and functional impairment.ResultsNinety‐two models met referral criteria for an ED and 26 for non‐weight related BDD, compared to 53 (ED) and 2 (BDD) students. Models also reported greater body image disturbance, dysmorphic appearance concern, depression, stress, functional impairment, and ED symptoms, but equivalent degrees of anxiety, self‐esteem, and home‐based functional impairment.ConclusionsNot only are female models at‐risk of the physical effects of maintaining a clinically underweight body, but models are at greater risk of developing body image‐related psychological illnesses, experiencing emotional stressors, and facing functional impairment than their non‐model peers.

Evaluation of systemic conditions, tooth loss, body image, and quality of life of women with obesity and women who underwent gastric bypass surgery.

To evaluate the systemic conditions, tooth loss, oral health, body image perceptions, and quality of life of women with obesity and women who underwent bypass surgery. Sixty women were classified into the gastric bypass (G1, n=30) and obesity (G2, n=30) groups, and their systemic condition, oral health perception, oral hygiene, tooth loss, body image perception (Stunkard scale), and quality of life (WHOQOL-bref) were evaluated. The t-test, Mann-Whitney, chi-square, and multiple linear regression were used for statistical analysis (P<.05). G2 presented higher prevalence of hypertension (P=.020) and G1 higher prevalence of anemia (P=.040). G2 demonstrated less favorable perceptions of oral health, primarily associated with chewing (P=.0007) and speech (P=.005), and a lower frequency of dental floss usage (P=.047); however, there were no intergroup differences regarding the prevalence of missing teeth (P=.180). G1 demonstrated greater satisfaction with regard to their body image (P<.0001), contrary to those in G2, who negatively perceived the same (P=.001), particularly considering the physical, psychological, and environmental parameters (P<.05). High body mass index (BMI) indicated a higher prevalence of hypertension and a negative impact on oral health perception and quality of life. However, bariatric surgery was associated with a positive body image perception and quality-of-life parameters.

A STUDY ON SOCIAL APPEARANCE ANXIETY AND COPING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

Social appearance anxiety is a term related to the individual's concerns about their outer appearance so it is described as the worry and tension they experience if their outer appearance is assessed and criticized by the society. It is a term that predicts the fear on negative feelings on physical appearance. Social appearance anxiety in individuals who belongs to the adolescent category and the youth category might experience serious problems in their future. This helps the individuals to develop different types of coping attitudes among them. Individual use these coping strategies to minimize the problems occurred due to anxiety, stress or such negative life situations. The present study was used to determine the connection and association between social appearance anxiety and coping. The study was done on college students in Coimbatore and the data collected using Social Appearance Anxiety Scale and Brief Cope Inventory. The result showed that both the social appearance anxiety and the coping is moderate in college students but the relation between these two is relatively high. This means that the students developed coping to overcome negative evaluation of body image by the society and to minimize the problems of such anxiety.

The comparison of morbid obesity quality of life and body image between surgery and other treatments: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND:Morbid obesity is rising around the world. Surgery is a selective treatment intervention for it. Since most of the surgeons use weight loss for evaluating of the morbid obesity surgical outcomes and paying attention to the the quality of life (QOL) and body image evaluation are rare, this study aimed to assess the QOL and body image in pre- and postsurgery with other interventions.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This case–control study was done on 200 morbidly obese patients (n = 100 in each group) who referred to the obesity clinic in Shiraz. The data were collected by Body Image Concern Inventory and 12-item Short Form Survey. The data were analyzed by t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient test, analysis of variance, and regression analysis. P = 0.05 was considered as significant.RESULTS:The paired t-test showed a significant difference in mean scores of body image (P < 0.001) and all dimensions of the QOL (P < 0.001) in the case and control groups. In the case group, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of the QOL and the different categories of body mass index (BMI) in postsurgery (P < 0.05) and the different mean scores of body image and the different categories of BMI in pre- and postsurgery wasn’t significant (P > 0.05). Age was a predictor variable for the QOL of morbidly obese persons after surgery (P < 0.001). After surgery, men showed better QOL than women (P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:Final results indicated that body image and QOL defects caused by obesity could be more improvement after surgery. This study can promote health-care team's knowledge about holistic supporting of all dimensions’ QOL of obese individuals. It is suggested that supporting interventions should be done as effective methods of maintenance for effects of weight loss methods such as surgery.

Profiles of resources and body image in health and illness: A comparative study among females with rheumatoid arthritis, females with breast cancer and healthy controls

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to examine whether or not profiles of resources (i.e., a multifaceted picture that simultaneously includes different types of resources), as described by the conservation of resources (COR) theory, and profiles of body image (i.e., a multidimensional picture that simultaneously includes different aspects of body image) differ between females that represent two clinical samples (rheumatoid arthritis [RA]; breast cancer [BC]) and a healthy control group.MethodThe sample comprised 328 females, including 141 women with RA, 102 with a BC diagnosis, and 85 healthy women as a control group, and was collected from the general population. To measure the level of COR resources in each participant, we used the COR evaluation questionnaire (COR‐E). Participants' body image was assessed with the aid of the Multidimensional Body‐Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ).ResultsA discriminant analysis revealed that females from the clinical groups differed with respect to their profiles of some resources and body image when compared to those of the healthy control group. In addition, we found differences in body image evaluations between women with RA and women with BC.ConclusionsWomen with RA or BC differ substantially with respect to their subjectively assessed resources and body image when compared to women with no chronic diseases. Therefore, psychological counselling designed for females with RA or BC should be employed to help them restore the aspects altered by their respective illnesses.

Anthropometric Indicators of Body Image Dissatisfaction and Perception Inconsistency in Young Rhythmic Gymnastics

Background: Although the positive effects of sports on body image perception are well described in the literature, rhythmic gymnasts have been reported to be at greater risk of developing body dissatisfaction and possibly eating disorders. The reason is that athletes engaged in aesthetic sports may be subject to greater pressure to be thin in order to adhere to the norms of that sport. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate body image perception and body composition in a sample of pre-menarcheal rhythmic gymnasts and to assess the influence of sport practice. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on a total sample of 135 girls: 64 were preadolescent rhythmic gymnasts (10.1 ± 1.8 years) divided into competitive and non-competitive athletes, while the other 71 schoolgirls (11.4 ± 0.3 years) were included as a control group. Anthropometric traits were directly collected, and BMI and body composition parameters were calculated. Body image perception and body image satisfaction were evaluated through body image indexes. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA adjusted for age and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Anthropometric traits and body composition parameters varied significantly between gymnasts and controls and between competitive and non-competitive subgroups, especially when adiposity indicators were compared. In general, rhythmic gymnasts showed a perception of their body consistent with their anthropometric characteristics and low body dissatisfaction, with competitive girls choosing a thinner silhouette as their ideal. A new index, FIDSPORT, developed by us as a simple measure of what gymnasts believe is the ideal gymnast figure compared to their actual figure, reported higher dissatisfaction between their perceived body and the body considered ideal for their sport. Moreover, rhythmic gymnasts showed a desire for a skinnier body than the control group. Practice of rhythmic gymnastics and BMI were negatively correlated with general ideal figure. Conclusions: All participants wanted to be thinner, but the ideal body image of gymnasts was thinner than that of schoolgirls. In addition, as a result of body satisfaction transiency, the ideal gymnast body image showed even lower values than the general ideal body image. This trend was well quantified by the FIDSport when compared to the FID(Feel-minus-Ideal-Discrepancy).

Psychometric properties of the Scale of Attitudes towards Pregnancy and Weight Gain in Mexican population

Introduction. Physical changes during pregnancy trigger a positive or negative emotional response to the body image of the future mother. Since this response can affect the health of the mother and the fetus, it is necessary to have valid instruments to evaluate body image in pregnant women. Objective. To validate in Spanish the Scale of Attitudes towards Pregnancy and Weight Gain in Mexican population. Method. The study was conducted in two phases: it was culturally adapted to determine the linguistic validity and then its psychometric properties were verified through confirmatory exploratory factor analysis. Results. Participants included 520 pregnant women over 18 attending prenatal consultation, with a mean age of 23.56 ± 5.89 and with a mean of 33.20 ± 6.69 gestation weeks. The exploratory analysis defined five components that explain 56.04% of the total variance of the 18 items with acceptable internal consistency (α = 78). Factor analysis confirmed five factors (negative attitude towards the increase of gestational weight, positive body image, control of gestational weight, concern over gestational weight and restrictive behavior in response to gestational weight) with adequate fit indices (χ2/gl = 2.57, IFI = .90, CFI = .90, RMSEA = .05 (90% CI [.048, .062], p =.12), SRMR = .05) Discussion and conclusion. The instrument has good psychometric properties and is recommended as a valid tool for assessing attitudes toward body image in Mexican women during the period of pregnancy.

Nonverbal Communication and Psychopathology in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Transplant recipients have difficulty expressing, identifying, and describing their emotional experiences. The Machover human figure test allows us to bring out the deepest contents of a patient's personality, which are normally hidden and not explained to structured quantitative tests. The study analyzed possible situations of distress and possible symptoms of psychopathology in kidney transplant recipients, emerged from the projective test of the human figure and not easily verbalized to the common standardized tests.The sample included 80 kidney transplant patients (51 men and 29 women; mean age, 47.74 [SD, 12.39] years) during follow-up visits at 12 months after transplant. The Machover test was used to evaluate body image, affective aspects, and personality variables by projective method; the Symptom Checklist-90-R was used for the evaluation of possible psychopathology, and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey was used for the assessment of perceived quality of life. Resultsshowed that the more anxiety there is in the human figure test, the less somatization dimensions (ANX/SOM R = −331, P < .05), depression (ANX/DEP R = −326, P < .05), and the global index of psychic symptomatology (ANX/GSI R = −367, P < .05) of the Symptom Checklist-90-R are present.This research has confirmed the hypothesis that the spontaneous graphic production of the recipients, through the projective methods, allows them to identify and deepen their psychological contents and to activate and maintain a good psychophysical balance post transplant.

Coping strategy mediates the relationship between body image evaluation and mental health: A study with Chinese college students with disabilities

BackgroundFor students with disabilities, evidence exists of significant links between body image evaluation and mental health status, and between coping strategies and mental health status, yet few investigations have tested body image evaluation, coping strategies and mental health status in one study to reveal their complicated relationships. ObjectiveThe present study investigated the mediation role of coping strategy between body image evaluation and mental health and its variations among Chinese university students with three types of disabilities, physical disability, visual disability and hearing disability. MethodTwo hundred and fifty-five Chinese college students (166 males and 89 females) with disabilities completed a battery of self-report questionnaires, including Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), Coping Style Questionnaire (CQS) and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90). Mediation analyses were conducted in AMOS. ResultsIn students with physical disabilities, positive coping strategies played a role in mediating the relation between body image evaluation and mental health (β = −0.190, p < 0.05). In students with hearing disabilities, negative coping strategies played the mediation role (β = −0.089, p < 0.05). No significant mediation effect was found in students with visual disabilities. Meanwhile, the mental health status of all of the three groups were significantly lower than the Chinese norm (M = 129.96; SD = 38.76) (all ps < 0.01). ConclusionsIn Chinese college students with disabilities, in bridging the link between their body image evaluation and mental health status, coping strategies played a central role and its specific role varied depending upon the type of disability. Practical implications are discussed.

Female genital image: is there a relationship with body image?

Objective:Dissatisfaction with body image may extend to the genital region, and the most dissatisfied with their bodies are women. To analyze the relation between body image and genital image in female, and to verify demographic and/or clinical factors related to body image and genital image.Materials and Methods:This is a cross-sectional study in 421 women. The Body Shape Questionnaire-34 (BSQ-34) was used to evaluate body image perception; scores ≤110 indicate no dissatisfaction. Also, the female genital self-image scale-7 (FGSIS-7) was used to evaluate genital self-image; scores range between 7 and 28, with higher values considered to indicate a more positive genital self-image. The relation between body image and genital image was determined using the Pearson Correlation test, as well as the relation of these with body mass index (BMI) and age. The relation between these data and genital image was determined by using the ANOVA test or the independent t-test (statistical difference was accepted as p<0.05). In order to verify predictors of dissatisfaction with body image, variables with p<0.10 were inserted into the logistic regression model and checked if they remained significant (p<0.05).Results:Three hundred eighty-nine women were analyzed. The mean age was 34.7±10.2 years. The mean BMI was 24.1±3.6 kg/m², 49% were single, and the mean BSQ-34 and FGSIS scores were 83.2±30.8 and 23.8±3.4, respectively. The correlation (r=-0.24) was found between body image and genital image (p<0.001). A total of 315 women indicated to be satisfied with their body and presented an FGSIS-7 score of 24±3.3. Participants who were dissatisfied with their body had an average FGSIS-7 score of 22.6±3.3.Conclusion:Genital image, age, and BMI influence body image. Change in the perception of body image seems to have low correlation with genital self-image in women.

Influence of the fear of death on body image evaluation.

Background: Research on the consequences of fear of death often consists of classical investigations within the sphere of social psychology. However, the aspect of body image regarding this issue remains largely unexplored. Aim of the study: The goal of the conducted experiment was to examine the mechanisms reducing the fear of death. The respondents had two options to choose from: (1) increasing self-esteem in terms of physical attractiveness, or (2) lowering the rating of the body image presented in the photographs. Material and methods: The study was conducted using the following tests: (1) the Memory Test, developed by Łukaszewski and Buczny; (2) the Body-Esteem Scale (BE S), developed by Franzoi and Shields; (3) the UMACL Mood Adjective Checklist, developed by Mathews, Chamberlain, and Jones; and (4) the Body Shape Attractiveness Questionnaire. In this report, we present results of an analysis of 221 respondents (108 women and 113 men). Results: Death-related thoughts influence the perception of female body attractiveness. Respondents with awareness of mortality salience rated the attractiveness of body shape as lower than respondents from the control group. Conclusions: The present experiment confirmed the influence of fear of death on the evaluation of cultural and biological standards of female physical attractiveness, as well as, the hesitation of participants’ self-esteem and mood related to sex. The lack of critical evaluation of others and a positive self-evaluation effectively protects an individual against mood deterioration, and these effects were observed among men. However, these mechanisms do not apply to women, since women reacted critically to both body shapes in the photographs and their own bodies.