Perceived Body Attractiveness Research Articles

Effects of Physical Activity Interventions on Physical Self-Perception in College Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Although the physical activities have demonstrated efficacy in improving physical self-perception, the findings of available studies in college students were conflicting. This review aimed to examine the effects of physical activity interventions on physical self-perception in college students. Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, Embase, Scopus, CNKI, WanFang, and Chinese Technical Periodicals were searched from inception to April 2024. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or non-RCTs (non-RCTs) that examined the effects of physical activity interventions on college students' physical self-perception. Random-effects models were used in meta-analyses to synthesize effect sizes. Forty studies (17 RCTs and 23 non-RCTs) with 4955 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, physical activity interventions had small to moderate significant effect on physical self-worth (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.44, P < .00001), perceived sports competence (SMD = 0.60, P < .00001), perceived physical condition (SMD = 0.45, P < .00001), perceived physical strength (SMD = 0.53, P < .00001), and perceived body attractiveness (SMD = 0.54, P < .00001). Significant differences were observed in study design (P = .031-.039), intervention type (P = .003-.031), and intervention duration (P = .002-.036) for some aspects of physical self-perception, such as perceived physical strength and perceived body attractiveness. Physical activity interventions have beneficial effects on physical self-perception in college students, especially those conducted for 12weeks, 3 times or more per week, lasting 90minutes or more per session. Large, high-quality RCTs are required to further confirm these findings.

Facial expression modifies female body perception.

The judgment of female body appearance has been reported to be affected by a range of internal (e.g., viewers' sexual cognition) and external factors (e.g., viewed clothing type and colour). This eye-tracking study aimed to complement previous research by examining the effect of facial expression on female body perception and associated body-viewing gaze behaviour. We presented female body images of Caucasian avatars in a continuum of common dress sizes posing seven basic facial expressions (neutral, happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust), and asked both male and female participants to rate the perceived body attractiveness and body size. The analysis revealed an evident modulatory role of avatar facial expressions on body attractiveness and body size ratings, but not on the amount of viewing time directed at individual body features. Specifically, happy and angry avatars attracted the highest and lowest body attractiveness ratings, respectively, and fearful and surprised avatars tended to be rated slimmer. Interestingly, the impact of facial expression on female body assessment was not further influenced by viewers' gender, suggesting a 'universal' role of common facial expressions in modifying the perception of female body appearance.

Impact of Face Masks on Female Body Perception is Modulated by Facial Expressions.

People routinely wear face masks during the pandemic, but little is known about their impact on body perception. In this online study, we presented female body images of Caucasian avatars in common dress sizes displaying happy, angry, and neutral facial expressions with and without face masks, and asked women to rate the perceived body attractiveness and body size. In comparison with mask-off condition, mask-on decreased body attractiveness ratings for happy avatars but did not affect ratings for neutral avatars irrespective of avatar dress sizes. For avatars displaying angry expressions, mask-on increased body attractiveness ratings for slimmer avatars but did not affect ratings for larger avatars. On the other hand, body size estimation was not systematically affected by face masks and facial expressions. It appears that face masks mainly show an expression-dependent influence on body attractiveness judgement, possibly through suppressing the perceived facial expressions.

What colour should I wear? How clothing colour affects women's judgement of other women's body attractiveness and body size

Research has indicated that female body perception and associated body-viewing gaze behaviour in women viewers can be influenced by a variety of internal and external factors (e.g., own body satisfaction, clothing style, and viewing angle). Although the clothing colour affects women's visual and aesthetic appearance rated by men or women wearer themselves, its impact on women judging other women's body attractiveness and body size is largely unclear. In this eye-tracking study we presented female body images of Caucasian and African avatars in a continuum of common dress sizes wearing different colours (black, grey, white, red, green and blue), and asked 31 young Caucasian women to rate the perceived body attractiveness and body size. Our analysis revealed that clothing colour black and red attracted the highest body attractiveness and slimmer body size ratings, whereas green and grey induced the lowest body attractiveness and overestimated body size judgements. Such colour-induced modulatory effect on body perception was further influenced by the avatar race (or skin tone; e.g., higher attractiveness ratings for colours white, blue and green in African than in Caucasian avatars), and was associated with the changes of body-viewing gaze allocation at the upper body and waist-hip regions (i.e. colour black and white attracting more viewing at the upper body and waist-hip regions, respectively). Taken together, it seems that the clothing colour and its contrast with skin tone play valuable roles in mediating women's body perception of other women.

Effect of model race and viewing perspective on body attractiveness and body size assessment in young Caucasian women: an eye-tracking study

Research has indicated that Caucasian women gaze more often at waist–hip and chest regions than other local body areas when assessing female body attractiveness and body size, and this stereotypical gaze distribution is further modulated by their own body satisfaction and body composition. However, little is known whether the model race and viewing perspective could affect women’s body-viewing gaze behaviour and body perception. Here, we presented female body images of Caucasian, Asian and African avatars in a continuum of common dress sizes in full frontal, mid-profile and rear view, and asked young Caucasian women to rate the perceived body attractiveness and body size. Their body-viewing gaze distributions were then correlated with their behavioural responses, their own body composition and body satisfaction. Our analysis revealed a clear in-group favouritism, in which Caucasian women tended to rate Caucasian avatars more attractive and slimmer than Asian and African avatars. Their body-viewing gaze patterns, on the other hand, were not affected by avatar race but were modulated by viewing perspectives. The frontal-view body (especially upper-body and waist–hip regions) attracted the highest proportion of viewing time, followed by the mid-profile view and then the rear-view body. Furthermore, our participants’ own body composition and satisfaction level did not affect their judgement of other women’s body attractiveness and body size, but could influence their gaze allocation at local body features. It seems that both body perception and body-viewing gaze behaviour are subject to group and individual biases.

Facial attractiveness, weight status, and personality trait attribution: The role of attractiveness in weight stigma

The current study examined the influence of facial attractiveness and weight status on personality trait attributions (e.g., honest, friendly) among more and less facially attractive as well as thin and overweight models. Participants viewed pictures of one of four types of models (overweight/less attractive, overweight/more attractive, thin/less attractive, thin/more attractive) and rated their attractiveness (facial, body, overall) and personality on 15 traits. Facial attractiveness and weight status additively impacted personality trait ratings. In mediation analyses, the facial attractiveness condition was no longer associated with personality traits after controlling for perceived facial attractiveness in 12 personality traits. Conversely, the thin and overweight condition was no longer associated with personality traits after controlling for perceived body attractiveness in only 2 personality traits. Post hoc moderation analysis indicated that weight status differently influenced the association between body attractiveness and personality trait attribution. Findings bear implications for attractiveness bias, weight bias, and discrimination research.

Physical self-concept and participation in physical activity in college students.

The purpose of this study was to test for reciprocal relations between physical self-concept (PSC) and participation in physical activity (PA). We hypothesized specific bidirectional relations between PSC dimensions (i.e., perceived endurance, sport competence, and strength and body attractiveness) and participation in corresponding types of PA (i.e., aerobic exercise, team or individual sports, and strength training). Data were gathered from a questionnaire administered to 386 college students on two occasions (3-month interval) to assess PSC and participation in PA. Structural equation modeling revealed significant paths between each PSC dimension and a corresponding type of PA. Students reported more frequent participation in a specific PA when their PSC concerning the activity was high. However, participation in a given PA did not predict subsequent PSC in the corresponding PA, suggesting unidirectional effects of previous PSC on subsequent participation in PA. These results suggest that strategies that contribute to reinforce PSC are primordial and should be targeted as key components for designing effective PA behavior change interventions among college students.

Overcoming weight bias: promoting physical activity and psychosocial health

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate Feel WonderFull Fitness (FWF), a program adhering to the Health At Every SizeTM (HAES) paradigm, on larger women's physical activity and psychosocial health. FWF was tailored to overcome barriers based on weight bias.Design/methodology/approach– The study compared “overweight” and “obese” women in FWF to those not currently enrolled in formal exercise programs. Controls were divided into low physical activity (LPA) and moderate physical activity (MPA) conditions based on pretest exercise level. Outcome measures were collected at pretest and three months later at posttest.Findings– FWF participants had the greatest gains in physical activity and demonstrated significantly greater improvements in depression than the LPA group. FWF and the MPA group showed more improved scores on perceived body attractiveness than the LPA group. Scores on an eating disorders measure improved for all groups, but somewhat more so for the FWF group. Improvements occurred in the absence of weight loss or decreases in body mass index and body fat percentage.Research limitation– The study was based on a small, homogenous sample using a quasi-experimental design.Practical implications– The study illustrates HAES strategies that practitioners might incorporate into various health and fitness settings.Social implications– The study highlights weight bias as a social justice issue and as a barrier to physical activity participation for larger women.Originality/value– The study adds to a growing body of literature evaluating HAES approaches, with HAES representing a novel alternative to weight-loss interventions for improving psychosocial health among larger women. It also contributes to the literature on weight bias that has been understudied relative to bias based on other areas of difference.

Changes in physical activity, physical fitness, self-perception and quality of life following a 6-month physical activity counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy program in outpatients with binge eating disorder

The aim of the current study was to explore the associations between changes in the number of binges, physical activity participation, physical fitness, physical self-perception and quality of life following a 6-month physical activity counseling and cognitive behavioral program in patients with binge eating disorder (BED). In total 34 (31 women) outpatients with BED (38.5±10.7 years) completed a 6-month 1-day per week group-based program. Participants completed the 36-item Short Form Health Survey, the Baecke Physical Activity questionnaire, the Physical Self Perception Profile and performed a 6-min walk test (6MWT) at baseline, after 3 and 6 months. Except for physical activity at work, physical strength and self-worth perception, all parameters significantly improved after 6 months. The effect sizes ranged from -0.33 for the number of binges to 1.67 for participation in sports activities. Significant increases in leisure time physical activity were associated with significant improvements in physical health related quality of life, perceived sports competence and physical fitness and in perceived body attractiveness. The significant reduction in the number of binges was associated with significant improvements in physical health related quality of life. Future research should focus on detailing which techniques can stimulate physical activity participation in patients with BED.

The role of physical activity, body mass index and maturity status in body-related perceptions and self-esteem of adolescents

Background: Adolescence represents a transitional period which is marked by physical, social and psychological changes. Changes in body shape and physical activity especially alter and shape the psychological well-being of adolescents.Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of physical activity level, body mass index and maturity status in body-related perception and self-esteem of 11–18 years old adolescents.Subjects and methods: A total of 1012 adolescents participated in this study. The “Social Physique Anxiety Scale”, “Body Image Satisfaction Scale”, “Physical Self-Perception Profile for Children” and “Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory” were administered. Physical activity level and body mass index were assessed using the “Physical Activity Questionnaire” and “Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer”, respectively.Results: Regression analysis indicated that body mass index was the only predictor of perceived body attractiveness, social physique anxiety, body image satisfaction and self-esteem for female adolescents. For male adolescents, both physical activity and body mass index were correlated with perceived body attractiveness and social physique anxiety. Pubertal status were not correlated with self-esteem and body-related perceptions for both males and females adolescents.Conclusion: In summary, body mass index and physical activity plays an important role in body-related perceptions and self-esteem of adolescents.

Using body scans in assessing perceptions of body attractiveness and size: cross-cultural study

The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) and body shapes on the perception of female body attractiveness and body size. A convenience sample of 107 American and 102 Russian female students completed questionnaire coordinated with a stimulus of 27 images of female body scans used by respondents to rate body size and attractiveness. Body sizes were categorised according to BMI. Three body shapes (hourglass, rectangle and pear) were defined within the stimulus. Russian respondents reported lower scores on body attractiveness than American respondents for all 27 images. Body scans with underweight BMIs were perceived as being the most attractive in both cultures. There was a significant difference of perceptions of body sizes between the Americans and the Russians.

Muscular fitness, body composition and physical self-perception in adolescents

The primary aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in the relationship between muscular strength, body composition, and physical self-perception in adolescents. Participants (n=106, age 15.0±0.7 years, 51% boys) completed the following assessments: height and weight, bio-electrical impedance analysis (body fat %), muscular strength (1RM bench press and leg press), and the Children's Physical Self-Perception Profile. Bivariate correlations were examined and mediation analysis was used to explore if physical self-perception sub-domains mediated the relationship between muscular strength/adiposity and overall physical self-worth. Among boys, physical self-worth was associated with absolute total strength (r=0.36, p<0.01), but not with body fat % (r=-0.11, p=0.44), or relative total strength (r=0.21, p=0.13). In adolescent girls, physical self-worth was associated with body fat % (r=-0.42, p<0.01), relative total strength (r=0.40, p<0.01) but not absolute total strength (r=0.07, p=0.62). In boys, perceived physical strength mediated the relationship between absolute muscular strength and physical self-worth. Relative muscular strength was not associated with perceived strength (p>0.05) in girls and the test of the mediated effect was non-significant (p>0.05). Perceived body attractiveness was found to mediate the relationship between body fat % and physical self-worth among boys and girls. Physical self-worth is associated with different components of health-related fitness in adolescent girls and boys. Mediation analysis can be used to provide insights into the complex interrelationships between variables.

The effects of free weights and elastic tubing resistance training on physical self-perception in adolescents

While it has been suggested that resistance training may have a beneficial effect on psychological health in young people, evidence supporting this assertion is limited. The primary aim of this study was to explore the effect of free weights and elastic tubing resistance training on physical self-perception in adolescents. Randomized controlled trial. Participants ( N = 108, mean age = 14.96 ± .68 years) were randomized to free weights ( n = 37) or elastic tubing ( n = 41) resistance training groups and a control group was recruited ( n = 30). Participants in the resistance training groups completed workloads of 2 sets of 10–12 repetitions on 10 exercises for 8 weeks. Height and weight were measured and bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to assess body composition (body fat %). Muscular strength was assessed using 1 repetition maximum tests for bench press and leg press. Students completed the Children’s Physical Self-Perception Profile and two scales developed for the current study to assess resistance training self-efficacy and outcome expectancy. Physical self-perception remained stable among boys over the study period. Girls in the free weights resistance training group significantly increased their perceived body attractiveness ( p < .01, d = .76) over the study period. The relationship between changes in body fat % and body attractiveness in girls was inverse and marginally significant ( r = −.28, p < .10). Resistance training programs may improve physical self-perception in adolescent girls. However, additional studies with larger sample sizes and more heterogeneous samples are required to confirm this finding.

Muscle Dysmorphia Symptoms and Their Relationships to Self-concept and Negative Affect Among College Recreational Exercisers

This study explored the nature of the relationship between muscle dysmorphia symptoms and self-concept as well as negative affect variables. Female (n = 183) and male (n = 103) college students completed a packet of questionnaires. Data were analyzed using canonical correlation analyses and revealed significant relationships between the sets of variables. Specifically, the variance explained by muscle dysmorphia symptoms in self-concept and negative affect variables was greater than the variance explained in muscle dysmorphia symptoms by self-concept and negative affect. Perceived body attractiveness and social physique anxiety were the individual variables that predominantly contributed to the multivariate relationships.

A longitudinal examination of the influence of maturation on physical self-perceptions and the relationship with physical activity in early adolescent girls

This longitudinal study investigated the influence of maturation on physical self-perceptions and the relationship with physical activity in early adolescent girls (N=150; mean age=12.79+/-0.31). Physical characteristics were measured and participants completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children, the Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile and the Pubertal Development Scale on two occasions 12 months apart. The results demonstrated a decrease in overall physical activity levels over 12 months which was not influenced by maturational status or physical characteristics. Additional analysis indicated that physical self-perceptions partially accounted for the explained variance in physical activity change, with physical condition being an important individual predictor of physical activity. Further analysis indicated that body mass was an important individual predictor of changes in perceptions of body attractiveness and physical self-worth. At this age maturation has a limited influence on the physical activity behaviours of early adolescent girls and although the variance in physical activity was partly accounted for by physical self-perceptions, this was a relatively small contribution and other factors related to this drop in physical activity need to be considered longitudinally.

Physical Self-Esteem of Adolescents with Regard to Physical Activity and Pubertal Status

The purpose of this study was to examine the physical activity and pubertal status differences in the multiple dimensions of physical self-esteem of Turkish adolescents. The current study also aimed to investigate the gender differences in the physical self-esteem. The pubertal status of participants was determined by a self-report questionnaire. The Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile and a weekly activity checklist were administered to 803 adolescents (Mage = 13.10 +/- 0.93). Analysis revealed significant main effects of physical activity on the multiple dimensions of physical self-esteem for both boys and girls. Follow-up analysis indicated that physically active boys and girls scored higher on almost all subscales of physical self-esteem than less active counterparts. The main effect of pubertal status and physical activity x pubertal status interaction were not significant either for boys or girls. Analysis also revealed significant gender differences in perceived body attractiveness, physical strength, physical condition, and physical self-worth subscales in favor of boys (p < .05).

Perceptual adaptation affects attractiveness of female bodies

We investigated whether short durations (5 minutes) of exposure to distorted bodies can change subsequent perceptions of attractiveness and normality. Participants rated 110 female bodies, varying in width, on either their attractiveness or normality before and after exposure to either extremely narrow (-50% of original width in Experiments 1 and 2) or extremely wide bodies (+50% of original width in Experiment 1, and +70% of original width in Experiment 2). In both experiments, the most attractive and most normal looking bodies became significantly and substantially narrower after exposure to narrow bodies. The most normal looking body changed significantly after exposure to wide bodies, but the most attractive body did not. These results show that perceptions of body attractiveness can be influenced by experience, but that there is an asymmetry between the effects of exposure to narrow and wide bodies. We consider a possible mechanism for this unexpected asymmetry, as well as possible implications for the effects of media exposure on body-image. The most attractive body shape was consistently narrower than the most normal looking body shape. Substantial changes in what looked normal were accompanied by congruent changes in what looked attractive, suggesting that a normal or average body shape may function as a reference point against which body attractiveness is judged.

1731. Modification of the texture of sorbents: A A Isrikyan,Dokl Akad Nauk SSSR, 174 (3), 21 st May 1967, 631–633 ( in Russian)

Research has indicated that female body perception and associated body-viewing gaze behaviour in women viewers can be influenced by a variety of internal and external factors (e.g., own body satisfaction, clothing style, and viewing angle). Although the clothing colour affects women's visual and aesthetic appearance rated by men or women wearer themselves, its impact on women judging other women's body attractiveness and body size is largely unclear. In this eye-tracking study we presented female body images of Caucasian and African avatars in a continuum of common dress sizes wearing different colours (black, grey, white, red, green and blue), and asked 31 young Caucasian women to rate the perceived body attractiveness and body size. Our analysis revealed that clothing colour black and red attracted the highest body attractiveness and slimmer body size ratings, whereas green and grey induced the lowest body attractiveness and overestimated body size judgements. Such colour-induced modulatory effect on body perception was further influenced by the avatar race (or skin tone; e.g., higher attractiveness ratings for colours white, blue and green in African than in Caucasian avatars), and was associated with the changes of body-viewing gaze allocation at the upper body and waist-hip regions (i.e. colour black and white attracting more viewing at the upper body and waist-hip regions, respectively). Taken together, it seems that the clothing colour and its contrast with skin tone play valuable roles in mediating women's body perception of other women.