Ideal Body Size Research Articles

Association between BMI, body dissatisfaction and optimism among adolescents enrolled in a Pediatric Obesity Treatment Program.

Obese adolescents are at increased risk of a negative perception of their physical appearance, impaired emotional well being, and social functioning. Our purpose was to analyze the association between Body Mass Index (BMI), perceived body size and dispositional optimism in two cohorts of the TOP Program at baseline. Body dissatisfaction was assessed through the difference between perceived actual and ideal body size. The LOT – R was used to measure optimism. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric tests. The sample included 34 obese adolescents (BMI > 95th percentile), 12–17 year old, mean age 14.21 (SD = 1.29), 64,7% females. Twenty participants (58.83%) assessed themselves as normal weight and 14 as overweight (41.17%). Higher BMI (rho = 0.52, p = 0.002) and hip circumference (rho = 0.46, p = 0.007) were associated with higher body size dissatisfaction. The adolescents who perceived themselves as overweight had higher BMI ( X 2 = 9.69, p = 0.002) and larger abdominal ( X 2 = 6.32, p = 0.012) and hip circumferences ( X 2 = 9.58, p = 0.002) than those who perceived themselves as having a normal BMI. The adolescents with higher dissatisfaction were those who showed a more correct perception of their body size ( x 2 = 16.263, p = 0.001). No associations were found with the optimism construct. According to the findings, a more severe obesity was associated with higher body size dissatisfaction and a more accurate perception of body size, what may facilitate a successful weight management. Future research should focus on the association between body size dissatisfaction, optimism and successful weight management.

Body image satisfaction and depression in midlife women: the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

With aging, women's bodies undergo changes that can affect body image perception, yet little is known about body image in midlife. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between body image and depressive symptoms in Caucasian and African-American midlife women from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) Chicago site. Body image was measured using the Stunkard Adult Female Figure Rating Scale, and a clinically significant level of depressive symptoms was defined as Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) score of ≥16 (N=405; N=63 (15.6%) with clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms). Differences between perceived actual, perceived ideal, and actual body size and responses to questions concerning weight satisfaction and attractiveness were examined using logistic regression for associations with a CES-D score of ≥16. Women with body image dissatisfaction (odds ratio (OR)=1.91; p=0.04) or who perceived themselves as "unattractive" (OR=7.74; p<0.01) had higher odds of CES-D of ≥16. We found no significant difference by race. Our results were not confounded by BMI. These results suggest that midlife women with poor body image may be more likely to have clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms. Larger prospective studies are needed to better understand this association.

An Investigation of Female College Students' Body Weight Perception Deviation and Its Reasons

References suggested that there are two components of body-image dysfunction:(a) perceptual body-size distortion and(b) cognitive-evaluative dysfunction. Also, reference indicated that an individual's perception of body weight is an imperative component for understanding a dissatisfied body-image. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate female college students' perceptions on their own body weight in relation to others. By analyzing college female students' social perceptions on the deviation of their body weight in relation to a standardized normal female body weight, the study used the male students' perceptions as a social standard of proper body weight image. Additionally, the reasons of the college students' perceptions of deviation of body weight were also examined as well. The body image materials of PFRS(the female Photographic Figure Rating Scale) consist of ten photographic real female body images varying in body mass index(BMI) from emaciated to obese. Participants of the study were randomly selected from 6 universities and colleges, which included 1005 female students and 190 male students. The female participants were asked to choose the images in the PFRS representing their body size, ideal body size, and the most attractive body size respectively. To estimate the images of body weight based on the PFRS(assume that the image was as high as her), the participants were asked to report their actual body weight, and their perception on the desired ideal body weight. The male participants were asked to choose the most attractive body image from the PFRS. Based on the obtained research data, the attempt of this study was toreveal the female college students' perceptions for the ideal body image so that the distance of deviation to ideal body image could be identified as well. In addition, the current study used three research models:(a) mirror model,(b) generalized model and(c) relevant model in order to reveal the reasons of the body weight perceptual deviation. The results of this study showed that the female students overestimated their own BMI(Body Mass Index); specifically, the female students tended to overestimate the BMI of the female students with normal weight or underweight, but underestimate the BMI of those overweight females. The score on the subjective social pressure of their body weight is higher than the real social pressure, which means that these students exaggerated the social pressure of body weight. Moreover, the female students' perceptions on body image deviated to others were more possible to influence their self-perception deviation. Cognitive evaluation mentioned on the paper is not an important factor of weight perception deviation of the female college students, but the relation between these two factors should be further studied.

The effect of ecological harshness on perceptions of the ideal female body size: an experimental life history approach

Why do researchers regularly observe a relationship between ecological conditions and the heaviness of female body weight ideals? The current research uses insights from life history theory and female reproductive physiology to examine whether variability in female body ideals might emerge from the different life history strategies typically adopted by individuals living in harsh versus benign ecologies. Across three experiments, we demonstrate that women who were sensitized to faster life history strategies during childhood – as indexed by earlier menarche or lower childhood SES – respond to cues of ecological harshness by shifting away from the thin body weight typically favored by Western women toward a heavier female body ideal. Additionally, although men’s perceptions of the ideal male body size did not shift in response to these cues, their perceptions of the ideal female body size did, with developmentally sensitized men also preferring a heavier female body size in the context of harsh ecologies.

Association between Different Phases of Menstrual Cycle and Body Image Measures of Perceived Size, Ideal Size, and Body Dissatisfaction

The association between phases of the menstrual cycle and body image was investigated. 44 university women (M age = 23.3 yr., SD = 4.7) judged their perceived and ideal body size, and body dissatisfaction was calculated at each phase of the menstrual cycle, including premenstrual, menstrual, and intermenstrual. Participants selected one of nine figural drawings ranging from very thin to obese that represented their perceived size and ideal size. Body dissatisfaction was measured as the absolute difference between scores on perceived and ideal figural drawings. During each menstrual phase, anthropometric measures of weight, height, body mass index, circumference of waist and abdomen, and body composition were taken. There were no significant differences in any anthropometric measures between the three menstrual cycle phases. Perceived body size and body dissatisfaction were significantly different between menstrual phases, with the largest perceived body size and highest body dissatisfaction occurring during the menstrual phase. Ideal body size did not differ between menstrual phases, although participants desired a significantly smaller ideal size as compared to the perceived size.

The thin/thick body ideal: Zulu women's body as a site of cultural and postcolonial feminist struggle

abstractThis Perspective explores how cultural identity impacts on the gendered construction by Zulu-speaking women of ideal body size and the various means through which women choose to exercise agency around their bodies. We report on a research study conducted among 45 female and five male participants drawn mainly from the Durban-based University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College campus, conducted between 2010 and 2011. The study considers how patriarchal discourses contribute to women's body size ideal, and women's response to traditional and global symbolism of their bodies.The analysis employs two theoretical frameworks, critical medical anthropology (CMA) and postcolonial feminist theory. CMA allowed us to critically question the notion of body size ideal of Zulu-speaking women and unmask the origin of larger structures of construction in what Singer (1995: 90) terms “systems-challenging praxis”. Through CMA, we understand that the female body is the “terrain where social truths are forged and social contradictions played out, as well as the locus of personal resistance, activity, and struggle” (Scheper-Hughes and Lock, 1987: 16), while the lens of postcolonial feminism reveals the body politics that contribute to women's agency and ideas around the ideal body. Through various discourses the participants decipher the meanings inscribed on their bodies. The Perspective exposes how gender and race contribute to perceptions of black women's body ideal.

Body size attitudes of 4 year old girls and boys: the role of environmental and individual influences

Very little is known about the development of body size attitudes in young children. We examined weight attitudes in 279 4-year-old girls and boys to test the hypothesis that children hold stereotypical beliefs about others based on body size, and that both child and maternal body image variables are related to these attitudes. Children completed an interview in which they were asked to select a figure to represent a child with positive or negative characteristics from an array of figures varying from very thin to large, and also to select figures to represent their own perceived body size, and their ideal body size. Child BMI-for-age z-score, as well as mothers' body dissatisfaction, internalization of the thin ideal and dieting were assessed. Children chose larger figures to represent negative compared to positive characteristics. Maternal body image attitudes were correlated with figure size selection for positive, but not negative characteristics. Preliminary findings show a trend that children's social environments are important in the development of positive body size attitudes. This abstract was presented in the Body Image stream of the 2013 ANZAED Conference.

Do lesbian women have a better body image? Comparisons with heterosexual women and model of lesbian-specific factors

Body dissatisfaction is prevalent among women but may be less common among lesbian women. Although research trends toward this conclusion when samples are well-matched and body mass index (BMI) is controlled for, many studies do not exhibit these characteristics. Furthermore, few studies have examined sociocultural contributors to group differences. I addressed limitations of past research with a large community sample of lesbian (n=479) and heterosexual (n=400) women. I contrasted the two sexual identity groups on several body dissatisfaction measures, and tested theoretically derived relationships between lesbian-specific cultural factors and body dissatisfaction. As predicted, lesbian women reported lower body dissatisfaction than did heterosexual women on three of four measures, and expressed a larger ideal body size. A structural equation model of lesbian-specific risk and protective factors for body dissatisfaction did not reveal significant relationships. This study represents a first attempt to model culturally specific influences on lesbian body image.

Women's satisfaction with body image before pregnancy and body mass index 4 years after delivery in the mothers of generation XXI.

BackgroundBody image satisfaction (BIS) influences body weight regulation and may contribute to long-term healthier lifestyle after pregnancy. Thus, we aimed to assess the association between BIS before pregnancy and body mass index (BMI) 4 years after the index pregnancy.MethodsAs part of the follow-up of a birth cohort, 3612 women with prepregnancy BMI >18.5 kg/m2 were reevaluated 4 years after the birth of a child. BIS was defined as the difference between perceived and ideal body size before pregnancy, assessed by Stunkard Silhouettes after birth. The associations of BIS with BMI change (continuous) and BMI classes at 4 years, based on measured weight and height, were estimated using linear and multinomial regression, respectively.ResultsAmong women with normal prepregnancy BMI, those who felt too small, regarding their ideal, had a 0.25 kg/m2 smaller increase in BMI within 4 years and a lower likelihood of becoming overweight or obese [multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.63; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.44–0.91 and OR = 0.21; 95%CI: 0.05–0.91, respectively) than those satisfied with body image. Feeling too large was associated with a 0.41 kg/m2 larger increase in BMI and a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese (OR = 2.12; 95%CI:1.73–2.59 and OR = 3.42; 95%CI:2.02–5.79, respectively). A similar, non-significant, trend was observed for overweight women. Obese women who felt too large had a non-significant decrease in BMI.ConclusionsBIS plays a role in maternal body weight after delivery. Realistic body size goals may promote the motivation to lose weight and contribute to higher success in attaining them.

Body ideals in women after viewing images of typical and healthy weight models

Viewing thin models, pervasive in popular culture, is correlated with body dissatisfaction and anxiety in women. Whether or not the same is true when viewing healthy weight models is unknown. In this study we tested whether viewing healthy weight models increases the ideal female body size. Body image, anxiety, happiness and depression were measured in 44 female participants following viewing of images of thin or healthy weight models (within-subject separated by two weeks). We found that after viewing images of healthy weight models, women's body ideals (as measured by a participant-adjusted virtual model) were significantly larger than when the same women viewed images of very thin models. This effect was greatest in those women with the highest levels of baseline anxiety (as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). These results suggest that viewing healthy weight models results in more healthy body ideals than those typically promoted through media.

Do you see what I see?: An exploration of inter-ethnic ideal body size comparisons among college women

The present study explored African American (n=16) and European American (n=19) college women's ideal body size perceptions for their own and the other ethnic group along with reasons behind their selections. Respondents completed an ethnically-neutral figure rating scale and then participated in ethnically-homogenous focus groups. European Americans mostly preferred a curvy-thin or athletic ideal body while most African American students resisted notions of a singular ideal body. European Americans suggested that African Americans’ larger ideal body sizes were based on greater body acceptance and the preferences of African American men. African Americans used extreme terms when discussing their perceptions of European Americans’ thin idealization, celebrity role models, and weight management behaviors. African Americans’ perceptions of European Americans’ body dissatisfaction were also attributed to the frequent fat talk they engaged in. Implications for promoting the psychosocial well-being of ethnically-diverse emerging adult females attending college are discussed.

Is Obesity Contagious by Way of Body Image? A Study on Japanese Female Students in the United States

Although it has been suggested that obesity is 'contagious' within the social network, direct cause of this spread of obesity remains unclear. This study hypothesized that Body Image (BI), the perception of one's own body size, may play a role in this obesity spread, since a high prevalence of obesity could shift people's perception of 'what is normal'. Young Japanese females (n=53) were interviewed within 1month after moving to New York City, where the prevalence of obesity is substantially higher than that of their home country, Japan. Each participant was examined for her BI in terms of current body size (CBS) and ideal body size (IBS). They were interviewed again 2months after the first examination. Between the two interviews, the participants' CBS was decreased (having thinner self-image), while the IBS increased (having fatter ideal-image), leading to less dissatisfaction (smaller CBS-IBS) with their body size. These results suggest that one's BI could change in a period as short as 2months, possibly because of being surrounded by more obese people. The IBS change was positively associated with BMI change (increased by 0.4±0.6kg/m²), warranting further study on the role of BI in the spread of obesity.

Ballet body belief: perceptions of an ideal ballet body from young ballet dancers

This paper explores what is perceived and believed to be an ideal ballet body by young ballet dancers. Such bodily belief becomes, in Pierre Bourdieu’s terms, a core part of a ballet dancer’s habitus. A four year longitudinal, ethnographic, empirical study of the experiences of 12 young ballet dancers, six boys and six girls, aged between 10 and 15 years at the start of the study, examined processes of bodily construction and ‘becoming’ a ballet dancer in non-residential ballet schooling. Data was generated via a multi-method approach although only individual and focus group interview data are used here. Findings suggest that the 12 young ballet dancers’ attempted to replicate and position themselves within what is perceived and believed to be an ideal ballet body shape and size. Ballet is a social practice which shapes the activity of the young dancer but is also shaped by that young dancer through a process of incorporation of the social into the body. The ballet dancer’s body and habitus is produced and maintained as the young ballet dancers’ accepted their bodies as an aesthetic project. It is argued that there is a strong connection between the size, shape and aesthetic of the ballet body and identity.

Parental and Peer Factors Associated with Body Image Discrepancy among Fifth-Grade Boys and Girls

Many young adolescents are dissatisfied with their body due to a discrepancy between their ideal and actual body size, which can lead to weight cycling, eating disorders, depression, and obesity. The current study examined the associations of parental and peer factors with fifth-graders' body image discrepancy, physical self-worth as a mediator between parental and peer factors and body image discrepancy, and how these associations vary by child's sex. Body image discrepancy was defined as the difference between young adolescents' self-perceived body size and the size they believe a person their age should be. Data for this study came from Healthy Passages, which surveyed 5,147 fifth graders (51% females; 34% African American, 35% Latino, 24% White, and 6% other) and their primary caregivers from the United States. Path analyses were conducted separately for boys and girls. The findings for boys suggest father nurturance and getting along with peers are related negatively to body image discrepancy; however, for girls, fear of negative evaluation by peers is related positively to body image discrepancy. For both boys and girls, getting along with peers and fear of negative evaluation by peers are related directly to physical self-worth. In addition, mother nurturance is related positively to physical self-worth for girls, and father nurturance is related positively to physical self-worth for boys. In turn, physical self-worth, for both boys and girls, is related negatively to body image discrepancy. The findings highlight the potential of parental and peer factors to reduce fifth graders' body image discrepancy.

Assessing Body Image in Young Children

The purpose of this study was to examine body image discrepancies in elementary-age children in a racially diverse sample. Body image and body image discrepancy were measured in elementary school children ( N = 58) of various racial groups (35% Hispanic, 33% African American, 16% Caucasian, 14% other). Each participant was shown a set of silhouette figure drawings and reported current and ideal body sizes. Children’s body discrepancies appear to change between Grades 1 and 2. Notable discrepancies between their current and ideal figures, and their current figure and those that they believe are most attractive, are largely absent in Grade 1, but are evident in Grade 2 and older children. No substantive racial or gender differences in body image perceptions or dissatisfaction were observed in this sample. Body image dissatisfaction may begin as early as second grade in both girls and boys of various racial and ethnic backgrounds. These findings provide preliminary evidence that body discrepancies may begin much earlier than previously thought.

Weight loss expectations and body dissatisfaction in young and older obese women attempting to lose weight

Unrealistic weight loss expectations (WLEs) have been linked to greater treatment attrition rates and worse long-term weight loss (WL) outcomes in young and middle-aged obese subjects. We aim to investigate 1) the link between WLEs and body image dissatisfaction in young and older obese women attempting to lose weight; 2) the relationship between WLEs, current body weight and recommended WL targets (5%, 10% and 20% of baseline body weight). Twenty-six young age (mean = 23.3; SD = 6.0 years), with a mean body weight of 81.7 (SD = 9.3) kg, and mean BMI of 32.5 (SD 2.0) kg/m 2 ; and thirty-three older age (Mean = 65.7, SD = 4.2 years), with a mean body weight of 81.7 (SD 8.3) kg, and mean BMI of 35.0 (SD3.4) kg/m 2 obese women were recruited. Eating behaviour was assessed using the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) (1) . The body dissatisfaction subscale of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI_BD) (2) and the Body Image Assessment for Obesity (3) were used to assess body image concern. WLEs were categorised according to personal, lifestyle and social factors. The two groups were matched for body weight (p >0.05). Older women identified a significantly larger current (p <0.001) and ideal (p <0.001) body size than younger women. Young women reported significantly greater levels of dieting (p <0.001), bulimia (p <0.001) and oral control (p <0.001). The largest WLEs were perceived as coming from the mass media in young women, and the achievement of career success in older women. Young women with lower expected ‘happy’ (p = 0.003), ‘reasonable’ (p = 0.004) and ‘fitness’ (p = 0006) body weights had higher levels of bulimic symptoms, whilst older women did not. The association between body size and WLEs in obese women was modified by age. The attitudinal constructs underlying these differences may be useful in clinical practice to improve WL outcomes.

Research in perceptions of normal and ideal body size among nurses (nursing students)

Objective To understand the perceptions of normal and ideal body size in registered nurses and nursing students,and to analyze the impacts of individual weight levels and misperception of body weight on their such cognitions.Methods A cross-sectional survey of 407 nursing students from two hospitals and 466 registered nurses from one hospital was conducted with the questionnaire survey.Sociodemographic information,actual weight,perceived weight levels and scores for figure rating scale were included.Results FRS scores for normal and ideal body size to male were significantly higher than to female either in registered nurses or in nursing students; FRS scores for ideal body size to both sexes were significantly lower than those for normal body size among registered nurses and nursing students.There were no statistically significant associations between FRS scores for normal and ideal body size and individuals' weight levels and misperceptions of body weight among registered nurses and nursing students.Conclusions There existed differences in rating female and male body size among registered nurses and nursing students,with “bigger” normal and ideal body sizes to male,Nurses preferred to “thinner” ideal body size in comparison to normal body size. Key words: Registered nurses; Nursing students; Body image; Figure rating scale

여대생의 체형별 신체만족도와 의복이미지 연구

To find the differences between the real somatotype and the ideal somatotype, WHR(Waist to Hip Ratio), WCR(Waist to Chest Ratio), and body cathexis were analysed by using ANOVA test, Duncan`s multiple range test, and test. Fashion image sought by female collegians was surveyed, too. The results were as follows. WHRs in slim, usual, fat body type were 0.75, 0.76, and 0.83 and WCRs were 0.77, 0.81, 0.80. The respondents who considered themselves to be overweight recognized themselves to be fatter than their real weight. They were not satisfied with their bust girth in slim body type, thighs and calves in usual body type, and all parts except for foot length, hand length and arm length in fat body type. 60% of the thin people considered their body hourglass shape, 30.4% of regular people recognized their body triangle type, 43.8% of fat people thought their body was round form. They thought current ideal body size was bigger in height and bust girth and smaller in waist girth and hip girth, and weight than real body size. Also they responded ideal body shape was an hourglass type independent of somatotype. The pursuit of clothing image was that 45.5% of female collegians were fashionable and raffine and 10.4% of female collegians was elegant and graceful. Among the body area, body parts that may have an effect on body image were body length in 13.1% of the respondents, waist girth in 10.7% of the respondents, and hip girth in 10.0% of the respondents.

Adiposity, Self-Concept and Body Size Dissatisfaction Among Cree Schoolchildren

Virtually no data exists about the psychosocial aspects of obesity in First Nations children. In this study, 203 school children from Quebec Cree communities had measured weight status determined using World Health Organization references. Multivariate regression models that included child's age and sex were used to assess the association between (a) child's weight status and physical appearance dissatisfaction using pictorial and verbal body rating measures, and (b) BMI z-score and self-concept using Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. Most (73%) children were overweight or obese. Based on the pictorial figures children chose to represent their perceived and ideal body sizes, 63% of children desired to be smaller, with overweight and obese children more likely desiring to be smaller than normal weight children (OR=4.3 and 19.8, respectively). In response to ‘What do you think of your body size?’ overweight and obese children were more likely to say their body size was too big compared to normal weight children (OR=7.7 and 30.6, respectively). Overweight and obese children were also more likely than normal weight children to respond “no” to ‘Do you like the way you look now?’ (OR=2.4 and 7.8, respectively). BMI z-score was associated with lower scores for global self-concept (β=-1.3), intellectual and school status (β=-1.5), and physical appearance and attributes (β=-1.3). The poor self-concept and body size dissatisfaction of Cree children with excess weight may lead to disordered eating or psychological outcomes such as depression. The psychosocial implications of obesity in First Nations children may be as important as chronic disease considerations.

Thinking big: The effect of sexually objectifying music videos on bodily self-perception in young women

The present study investigated the effect of sexually objectifying music video exposure on young women's implicit bodily self-perception and the moderating role of self-esteem. Fifty-six college women of normal weight were either exposed to three sexually objectifying music videos or three neutral music videos. Perceived and ideal body size were measured both before and after video exposure, using horizontally stretched and compressed photographs of the participant's own body in swimming garment. As expected, only women low (but not high) in self-esteem were negatively affected by the sexually objectifying content of the music videos: they perceived themselves as bigger and showed an increased discrepancy between their perceived and ideal body size after video exposure. The neutral music videos did not influence women's bodily self-perceptions. These findings suggest that body image is a flexible construct, and that high self-esteem can protect women against the adverse effects of sexually objectifying media.