Body Shape Perception Research Articles

Influence of body shape perception on self-esteem among normal-weight middle school students in South Korea: The mediating effect of body shape satisfaction and gender differences

Influence of body shape perception on self-esteem among normal-weight middle school students in South Korea: The mediating effect of body shape satisfaction and gender differences

후기청소년의 체형 인식, 대인관계 문제 및 영적 안녕 간의 관계

본 연구는 후기청소년의 자신의 체형에 대한 인식, 대인관계 문제, 그리고 영적 안녕의 정도를 확인하고 그 관계를 규명하기 위한 목적으로 시행된 서술적 조사연구이다. 본 연구 대상자는 수도권 소재 1개 고등학교 3학년 학생과 2개 대학교의 학생으로 본 연구에 참여하기로 동의한 116명을 임의로 표출하였다. 2012년 10월 12일부터 11월 16일까지 구조화된 질문지를 이용하여 진행되었으며, 수집된 자료는 t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Bonferroni correction, Pearson's correlation coefficient 등을 통해 분석되었다. 연구 결과는 다음과 같다. 연구대상자의 94.9%가 체질량지수가 저체중 혹은 정상체중이었지만 현재 보다 더 마르기를 원하는 것으로 나타났다. 체형 인식은 성별, 종교 유무, 체중조절 경험 유무, 현재 체질량지수와 원하는 체질량 지수에서 그룹 간 유의한 차이가 있었고, 영적 안녕은 종교 유무와 음주경험에 따라 유의한 차이가 있었다. 체형 인식과 대인관계 문제는 통계적으로 유의한 상관관계가 없었으며, 대인관계 문제와 영적 안녕 간에는 유의한 음의 상관관계가 나타났다. 본 연구 결과를 통해 후기 청소년의 왜곡된 체형 인식에 대한 교육과 상담의 필요성이 있으며, 후기 청소년의 대인관계 문제에 대한 중재 요소로서 영적 안녕에 대한 영역을 활용하기를 기대한다. Purpose: This study is a descriptive survey to identify the relations of body shape perception, interpersonal problems, and spiritual well-being in late adolescents. Methods: The participants are 116 late adolescents in S and K city. This study was performed using a structured questionnaire from October 12 to November 16, 2012. The collected data were analyzed by t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Bonferroni correction, Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: According to general characteristics of the participants, there were significant differences in body shape perception for gender, religion, experience of weight control, current body mass index, and wanted body mass index. There were significant differences in spiritual well-being for experience of drinking and religion. There was significant negative correlation between interpersonal problems and spiritual well-being. Conclusions: Therefore, nursing interventions will be needed to improve interpersonal problems and abnormal body shape perception and to enhance spiritual well-being of adolescents.

현역병의 건강행태, 주관적 체형인식, 체중조절 활동이 BMI 변화에 미치는 영향

현역병의 건강행태, 주관적 체형인식, 체중조절 활동이 BMI 변화에 미치는 영향

Cerebral perfusion differences in women currently with and recovered from anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychiatric disorder characterized by restricted eating, a pursuit of thinness, and altered perceptions of body shape and size. Neuroimaging in anorexia nervosa has revealed morphological and functional alterations in the brain. A better understanding of physiological changes in anorexia nervosa could provide a brain-specific health marker relevant to treatment and outcomes. In this study, we applied several advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to quantify regional and global cerebral blood flow (CBF) in 25 healthy women (HC), 23 patients currently with anorexia (AN-C) and 19 patients in long-term weight recovery following anorexia (AN-WR). Specifically, CBF was measured with pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) MRI and then verified by a different technique, phase contrast (PC) MRI. Venous T2 values were determined by T2 relaxation under spin tagging (TRUST) MRI, and were used to corroborate the CBF results. These novel techniques were implemented on a standard 3T MRI scanner without any exogenous tracers, and the total scan duration was less than 10min. Voxel-wise comparison revealed that the AN-WR group showed lower CBF in bilateral temporal and frontal lobes than the AN-C group. Compared with the HC group, the AN-C group also showed higher CBF in the right temporal lobe. Whole-brain-averaged CBF was significantly decreased in the AN-WR group compared with the AN-C group, consistent with the PC-MRI results. Venous T2 values were lower in the AN-WR group than in the AN-C group, consistent with the CBF results. A review of prior work examining CBF in anorexia nervosa is included in the discussion. This study identifies several differences in the cerebral physiological alterations in anorexia nervosa, and finds specific differences relevant to the current state of the disorder.

Eating disorders

Eating disorders are characterized by aberrant patterns of eating behavior, including such symptoms as extreme restriction of food intake or binge eating, and severe disturbances in the perception of body shape and weight, as well as a drive for thinness and obsessive fears of becoming fat. Eating disorder is an important cause for physical and psychosocial morbidity in young women. Patients with eating disorders have a deficit in the cognitive process and functional abnormalities in the brain system. Recently, brain-imaging techniques have been used to identify specific brain areas that function abnormally in patients with eating disorders. We have discussed the clinical and cognitive aspects of eating disorders and summarized neuroimaging studies of eating disorders.

Eating disorders among medical students of a rural teaching hospital: a cross-sectional study

Background:Eating disorders are complex psychiatric syndromes in that can lead to significant and potentially life threatening medical and nutrition complications. Literature from India in this regard is restricted and issues such as eating attitudes and body shape dissatisfaction remain unexplored in the Indian setting. It has been argued that eating disorders are culture-bound disorders specific to western societies. Consequently, these conditions remain understudied in most non-western settings. Objectives: 1) To determine the prevalence of eating disorders and body shape perception among medical students. 2) To assess any association between eating disorders and body shape perception.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 172 medical students using Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Anthropometric measurements like height, weight was done for body mass index calculation and analysis was done with open Epi and Microsoft excel. Results:An overall prevalence of overweight was calculated to be 17.4% and obesity, 6.4%. The prevalence of eating disorder symptoms and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours in our study was 16.9% and a significant correlation between distorted eating attitudes and age with body shape dissatisfaction was found. Conclusions:The prevalence of overweight and obesity is on rise and a comparable level of eating disorders was observed. It is recommended to assess BMI along with the body shape concerns while screening for eating disorders among medical students.

Weight Control Behaviors, Health-related Quality of Life and Nutritional Status by Overestimation of Body Image among Young Korean Females: Data from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2010-2011

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of overestimation of their own body shape on weight control behaviors, mental condition, physical activity, dietary behavior, health-related quality of life, and nutritional status among young Korean females. Methods: A total of 1,514 women aged 20-39 years who are not pregnant and lactating among those who participated in the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010~2011), were analyzed and grouped into underestimation (n=120), normal estimation (NE, n=840), and overestimation (OE, n=554), based on their body perception compared to actual percent ideal body weights. Variables were compared between OE group and NE group. Results: The subjects in OE group were significantly younger (29.5 vs. 30.5 years, respectively p < 0.05) and had lower body mass index (20.9 vs. 22.2 respectively, p < 0.01), health-related quality of life measured by EQ-5D (EuroQol-5 Dimension)(0.97 vs. 0.98 respectively, p < 0.05), nutrition adequacy ratio (NAR) of protein (0.91 vs. 0.93 respectively, p < 0.05), phosphorous (0.93 vs. 0.96 respectively, p < 0.05), and iron (0.70 vs. 0.75 respectively, p < 0.01), and index of nutrition quality (INQ) of iron (0.84 vs. 0.89 respectively, p < 0.05) compared to those in the NE group. The results of logistic regression showed that unmarried status (OR 1.32; 1.01~1.72) and severely underweight/underweight status (OR 1.94; 1.01~3.75)/(OR 1.81; 1.34~2.45) were significantly related to the probability of overestimation by the subjects. Significantly more women in OE group practiced fasting, skipping meals, and taking prescribed pills to lose body weights and had skipped breakfast compared to those in the NE group. Conclusions: The results of this study suggested that the Korean young women's distorted perception of own body shape may be associated with undesirable weight control behavior, low quality of life, and lower nutritional status. Therefore, nutrition education for this group should include information on correct body shape perception and its importance.

Physiological and Psychological Changes Following Liposuction of Large Volumes of Fat in Overweight and Obese Women.

BackgroundLiposuction can remove a substantial amount of body fat. We investigated the effects of liposuction of large volumes of fat on anthropometrics, body composition (BIA), metabolic hormones, and psychological measures in overweight/obese women. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine both physiological and psychological changes following liposuction of large volumes of fat in humans.MethodNine premenopausal healthy overweight/obese women (age = 35.9 ± 7.1 SD, weight = 84.4 kg ± 13.6, BMI = 29.9 kg/m2 ± 2.9) underwent liposuction, removing 3.92 kg ± 1.04 SD of fat. Following an overnight fast, height, weight, waist, and hip circumferences were measured at baseline (one week pre-surgery) and post-surgery (wk 1,4,12). Blood samples were drawn for fasting concentrations of glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin. The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) Examination Self-Report (BDDE-SR), and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZDS) were administered.ResultsBody weight, BMI, waist circumference, and body fat consistently decreased over time (p < .05). Glucose did not change significantly, but insulin decreased from wk 1 to wk 12 (p < .05). Leptin decreased from baseline to wk 1 (p = .01); ghrelin increased but not significantly. Changes in body fat and waist circumference (baseline to wk 1) correlated positively with changes in insulin during that period, and correlated inversely with changes in ghrelin (p < .05). BSQ scores decreased significantly over time (p = .004), but scores for BDDE-SR (p = .10) and ZDS (p = .24) did not change significantly.ConclusionLiposuction led to significant decreases in body weight and fat, waist circumference, and leptin levels. Changes in body fat and waist circumference correlated with concurrent changes in the adipose-related hormones, insulin and ghrelin (baseline to wk 1), and body shape perception improved. Thus, besides the obvious cosmetic effects, liposuction led to several positive body composition, hormonal, and psychological changes.

Multiple Perspectives on Body Image Research

Representation of the body is a nuclear aspect of self-image. Body representation includes both subjective and intersubjective experiences. The importance of visual body representation in our social life is demonstrated by the time we spend to take care of our physical appearance, including use of plastic surgery, as well as by the severe mental disorders associated to its alteration, including eating disorders (EDs) and body dysmorphic disorders. In spite of these issues, (neuro)psychological research on body representation has so far mainly focused on the body as a motor device, devoted to the perception of and interaction with objects. The complexity of factors involved in the development, maintenance, and plasticity of body image representations requires an integrated approach that facilitates the evaluation and treatment of EDs with novel, evidence-based, and more efficacious protocols. This special issue of European Psychologist aims to advance such an integrative approach, with a collection of papers that gather different perspectives on the phenomenological, cognitive, (neuro)psychological, and cultural aspects of body representation disorders.

A survey of overweight, body shape perception and eating attitude of Korean female university students.

[Purpose]We obtained basic data on a proper weight loss training program by considering the relationship between body mass index (BMI), the perception of appearance, and eating attitudes of Korean female university students.[Methods]The survey and anthropometry for the perception of appearance and eating attitudes were conducted targeting 657 female university students located in Seoul, Busan, Ulsan, Daejeon, Chungcheongnam-do, and Gangwon-do South Korea who were not specializing in physical education.[Results]The underweight group accounted for 21.16% of the population, the normal weight group comprised 69.71%, the overweight group was 6.09%, and the obese group accounted for 3.04%. The satisfaction rate of appearance was 56.16%, the dissatisfaction rate was 43.84%, and normal-weight students who were dissatisfied with their own appearance comprised 48.5%. The More obese students were more dissatisfied with their appearance. As a result of investigating eating attitudes, 37.75% of all subjects had a risk for an eating disorder, and 38.6% were normal weight but showed a risk for an eating disorder. More obese (BMI) subjects were at higher risk for an eating disorder. [Conclusion]The BMIs of the Korean female university students were lower than those of European and American Caucasian women students, but the dissatisfaction of Korean female university students with their appearances was greater than that of European and American students, indicating that more Korean female university students were suffering from an eating disorder. It is predicted that the incidence of eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, will rise in Korean women if there is no accurate understanding and measure to identify the high risk group for an eating disorder.

How Does Body-Shape Perception Affect the Weight Control Practices?: 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Received: June 2, 2014 Revised: June 10, 2014 Accepted: June 11, 2014 Objectives: This study was to investigate how body-shape perception could influence to weight control practice both in normal and obese group. Methods: We used 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to analysis 1) weight control practices of population; 2) consistency between body-shape perception and body mass index; 3) comparison weight control practices between normal group and body mass index (BMI) obese group in perceptional obese group; 4) odds ratio of BMI obese group using herbal drugs for weight control practice in perceptional obese group. Results: We found that study population tends to choose exercise, dietary restriction, meal skip, health functional food, one-food, drug, herbal drug, fasting and self-medication in order of frequency to control weight. The agreement between body-shape perception and BMI within obese group was approximately 64% with 0.40 of Cohen’s Kappa coefficient, ranging from 0.384 to 0.423. Within perceptional obese group, choosing each weight control practice methods ratios between normal BMI group and obese BMI group were not significantly different. Within perceptional obese group, obese BMI group showed significant odds ratio (2.58, 95% confidence intervals, 1.38∼4.85) than normal BMI group in choosing herbal medication for weight loss when adjusting other variables. Conclusions: We concluded that body-shape perception might be an important factor for choosing weight control program, and roles of Korean medical doctors thought to be enhanced for using herbal medication for weight loss.

Eating behavior and perception of body shape in Japanese university students.

PurposeWe investigated the relationship between eating behavior measured by the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ) and perception of body shape, examining the current physical status and ‘ideal’ physical parameters in females and males.MethodsThe participants, 548 Japanese university students (age 19.2 ± 0.9 years, mean ± SD; 252 males, 296 females), completed a questionnaire which asked for their current physical status (e.g., weight and height), their ideal physical parameters, their perception of their current body shape, their ideal body shape, and their eating behaviors.ResultsThe ideal weight and ideal body mass index (BMI) were significantly higher than the current weight and BMI in the males, but significantly lower in the females. Among the females, the ideal body shape was smaller than their perception of current body shape. The DEBQ scores for restrained, emotional, and external eating were higher in the females than the males among the normal-weight participants, and among the underweight participants, the restrained eating and external eating scores were higher in the females than the males. Restrained eating was negatively associated with the discrepancy between the current and ideal weight, BMI, and body shape in both the males and females. Emotional eating was negatively associated with the discrepancy in current/ideal BMI and body shape only in the females.ConclusionsAt least in Japanese university students, the gender differences in ideal body shape are related to eating behavior.

Correction of body-mass index using body-shape perception and socioeconomic status in adolescent self-report surveys.

ObjectivesTo propose a simple correction of body-mass index (BMI) based on self-reported weight and height (reported BMI) using gender, body shape perception and socioeconomic status in an adolescent population.Methods341 boys and girls aged 17–18 years were randomly selected from a representative sample of 2165 French adolescents living in Paris surveyed in 2010. After an anonymous self-administered pen-and-paper questionnaire asking for height, weight, body shape perception (feeling too thin, about the right weight or too fat) and socioeconomic status, subjects were measured and weighed. BMI categories were computed according to Cole’s cut-offs. Reported BMIs were corrected using linear regressions and ROC analyses and checked with cross-validation and multiple imputations to handle missing values. Agreement between actual and corrected BMI values was estimated with Kappa indexes and Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).ResultsOn average, BMIs were underreported, especially among girls. Kappa indexes between actual and reported BMI were low, especially for girls: 0.56 95%CI = [0.42–0.70] for boys and 0.45 95%CI = [0.30–0.60] for girls. The regression of reported BMI by gender and body shape perception gave the most balanced results for both genders: the Kappa and ICC obtained were 0.63 95%CI = [0.50–0.76] and 0.67, 95%CI = [0.58–0.74] for boys; 0.65 95%CI = [0.52–0.78] and 0.74, 95%CI = [0.66–0.81] for girls. The regression of reported BMI by gender and socioeconomic status led to similar corrections while the ROC analyses were inaccurate.ConclusionsUsing body shape perception, or socioeconomic status and gender is a promising way of correcting BMI in self-administered questionnaires, especially for girls.

Prevalence and sociodemographic trends of weight misperception in Korean adolescents.

BackgroundRapid physical and emotional growth occurs during youth. Adolescence is one of the most important periods for adapting to body change and establishing an ideal body image. Body change is an important and sensitive concern for adolescents, and the values and self-conception established at this time affect various aspects of the entire life. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and trends of weight misperception among adolescents in Korea.MethodsWe analyzed raw data from the 2011 Korea Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey-VII (KYRBWS-VII), in which 73,474 adolescents from the middle-school first grade to the high-school third grade (aged 12–18) participated. For the multivariate logistic regression model, the dependent variable was existence of misperception (yes/no) and independent variables were sociodemographic factors.ResultsWe found that the prevalence of weight misperception was 49.3% (overestimation, 23.7%; underestimation, 25.6%). Among male students, 65.0% underestimated their weight, whereas 62.2% of female students overestimated their weight. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that gender (OR = 1.254; 95% CI = 1.214–1.294; p < 0.001) and socioeconomic status (OR = 1.173; 95% CI = 1.121–1.228; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with weight misperception. Compared with overweight/obese adolescents, adolescents whose BMI-based body weight was underweight or normal showed 2.386-times higher (OR = 2.386; 95% CI = 2.045–2.783, p < 0.001) and 32.804-times higher (OR = 32.804; 95% CI = 29.829–36.077, p < 0.001) body shape misperception, respectively.ConclusionsAn effective obesity intervention program for adolescents must reflect and monitor body shape perception as well as BMI, and should include subjects who overestimate as well as underestimate their weight.

High tendency to the substantial concern on body shape and eating disorders risk of the students majoring Nutrition or Sport Sciences.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESStudies have indicated that university students majoring in nutrition and dietetics or sport sciences may have more obsessions associated with eating attitudes and body shape perception compared to other disciplines i.e. social sciences. Therefore, this study aimed to assess and compare the risk of eating disorders and body shape perception.MATERIALS/METHODSData was collected from 773 undergraduate students at the Departments of Nutrition and Dietetics (NDD) (n = 254), Physical Education and Sports (PESD) (n = 263), and Social Sciences (SOC) (n = 256).A socio-demographic and personal information questionnaire, Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-34), Perceived Figure Rating Scale (FRS) were applied; and body weights and heights were measured.RESULTSMean EAT-40 scores showed that, both male and female students of PESD had the highest scores (17.4 ± 11.6) compared with NDD (14.3 ± 8.3) and SOC (13.0 ± 6.2) (P < 0.05). According to EAT-40 classification, high risk in abnormal eating behavior was more in PESD (10.7%) compared to NDD (2.9%) and SOC (0.4%) students (P < 0.05). Students of PESD, who skipped meal, had higher tendency to the risk of eating disorders (P < 0.05). In parallel, body shape perception was found to be marked with higher scores in NDD (72.0 ± 28.7) and PESD (71.5 ± 32.8) compared with SOC (64.2 ± 27.5) students (P < 0.05). Considering BSQ-34 classification, high concern (moderate and marked) for body shape were more in PESD (7.4 %) compared to NDD (5.2%) and SOC (1.9%) students (P < 0.05). The body size judgement via obtained by the FRS scale were generally correlated with BMI. The Body Mass Index levels were in normal range (Mean BMI: 21.9 ± 2.8 kg/m2) and generally consistent with FRS data.CONCLUSIONSTendency to the abnormal eating behavior and substantial body shape perception were higher in PESD students who have more concern on body shape and were not well-educated about nutrition. In conclusion, substantial concern on physical appearance might affect eating behavior disorders in PESD students.

기숙사 남녀 대학생의 주관적 체형인식, 비만도, 체중조절 행태가 비만스트레스에 미치는 영향

Abstract Targeting in-dorm university students, this study is to check body-shape perception, obesity, weight control, and obesity stress, and to figure out the effect level of each variables toward obesity stress. Data were collected by self-evaluation questionnaire from 305 respondents in dorms of a university, and the survey was conducted from May 27 to June 7 of the year 2013. As a result of the survey, both male and female students did not properly perceive their own body-shape. Female students felt that they were fat more than male students did; on the other hand, male students felt that they were skinny even though they were in standard. Females felt more obesity stress than males, and for both male and female students, more obesity resulted in deeper obesity stress. For female students, when the actual body shape is not similar to the body shape that they believe to be, they feel more obesity stress; however for male students, the result was reversed. The group that tried weight control felt more obesity stress than the other group, for both males and females. In addition, for both male and female, the group that has more will toward weight control felt more obesity stress. The effect factors that were checked through multi-variable analysis is like the following: for male students, as they feel fat and as they pay more attention to weight control, the obesity stress increased, and for female students, as they pay more attention to weight control, the obesity stress increased. Focusing on higher obesity stress groups that are distinguished through applying factors to influence on decreasing obesity stress based on the analysis result, and especially for male university students, running exercise programs at the same time for skinny bodies to gain fat would be more effective to decrease obesity stress.

Accuracy of self-reported weight and height in women from Bogotá, Colombia

Aim: To identify correlates of bias in self-reported anthropometry among reproductive-aged Colombian women and to correct overweight/obesity and obesity prevalence based on self-reported data using two calibration techniques.Subjects and methods: Self-reported and objectively measured anthropometry were obtained from 597 women aged 21–55 years from Bogotá, Colombia. This study identified correlates of reporting bias (self-reported minus measured anthropometry) by examining its distribution across categories of sociodemographic characteristics, objectively measured anthropometry and body shape perception using linear regression. Next, weight status misclassification was assessed using self-reported anthropometry. Finally, multivariable linear regression and ROC curves were used to calibrate weight status misclassification from self-reported data; these techniques were applied in half of the study population and validated in the remaining half.Results: Women under-estimated weight by 2.0 ± 5.0 kg and over-estimated height by 0.6 ± 4.0 cm. Correlates of bias included objectively measured anthropometry and marital status. Self-reported BMI yielded spuriously low prevalences of overweight/obesity and obesity. The ROC approach effectively corrected overweight/obesity prevalence, while the regression method provided a more accurate estimate of obesity prevalence.Conclusions: Bias in self-reported anthropometry varied with respect to objectively measured anthropometry and sociodemographic characteristics. BMI from self-reported anthropometry under-estimates overweight/obesity and obesity prevalence; calibration methods can effectively correct reporting bias.

Body mass index through self-reported data and body image perception in Spanish adults attending dietary consultation

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore, based on sex and age, knowledge regarding weight, height, and the perception of body shape in Spanish adults who attend dietary consultation. We also wanted to determine the participants' desired body shapes and what they considered their best health status. MethodsThe sample consisted of 8100 women and 1220 men from Spain. They were between the ages of 18 and 75 y. Weight (kg) and height (cm) were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Participants were nutritionally classified following the cutoffs proposed by the World Health Organization. Each individual was asked about his or her weight and height and self-reported BMI was calculated. They also answered a test of body image perception through drawings of human silhouettes that corresponded to an exact BMI. With this, perceived BMI, desired BMI, and BMI considered healthy were estimated. Parametric statistic tests for contrast of mean and percentages were applied. ResultsSelf-reported and perceived BMI underestimate the BMI obtained through anthropometry. Differences between measured and self-reported BMI are lower in women and increase with age in both sexes. The same result was obtained when comparing measured BMI with perceived BMI through silhouette test. On average, desired BMI and healthy BMI were in the limits of normal weight for all ages and both sexes. However, the difference between them was also lower in women. ConclusionAge and sex influence the perception of excess weight and body image. This could condition the demand of dietary treatment to improve the nutritional status.

Perceptions of Female Body Size and Shape in China, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom

Photographs of 50 women were rated for attractiveness, health, and fertility recorded by four sets of participants—Rural-Chinese ( n = 50), Chinese participants in Hong Kong ( n = 50), Chinese participants living in the United Kingdom ( n = 50), and participants self-identifying as “Caucasian” living in the United Kingdom. The results suggest that a polynomial function of Body Mass Index (kg/m2) is the best predictor of all three judgments in all four observer groups. In contrast, shape cues, such as the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), seem to play a relatively small role. Shape cues do consistently account for a greater proportion of the variance in all three Chinese groups than for the Caucasian participants, implying a greater role for shape in the Chinese participants’ judgments. This result may reflect the competing pressures between the healthy range for shape and body mass in the Chinese populations versus the role of visual diet in influencing body preferences in different cultural environments.

Concurrence of Anorexia Nervosa and Noonan Syndrome

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a genetic disease inherited in an autosomal dominant mode; it presents significant genetic heterogeneity and varying penetrance. Mutations have been identified in several genes, and they account for 75% of all known cases. The majority of reported mutations are localized on PTPN11 gene, which encodes the non-receptor type protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2. Diagnosis, however, is mainly established after clinical examination. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by fear of gaining weight, refusal to maintain normal body weight and distorted perceptions of body image or body shape. AN is independently predicted by female sex and feeding problems in childhood, whereas NS symptoms include feeding difficulties. No comorbidity between NS and AN has been reported to date. The authors reported the case of a 38-year-old female patient with AN who met the van der Burgt criteria for NS with confirmed (a) comorbidity of AN and NS and (b) the absence of the most common mutation in PTPN11 and presence of a novel T > A transversion within intron 8-9.