“Drawing” Conclusions About Perceptions of Ideal Male and Female Body Shapes

Perceived Body Image towards Disordered Eating Behaviors and Supplement Use: A Study of Mauritian Gym-Goers

Purpose: Individuals with body image distortions tend to develop an obsession with calorie intake and weight, leading to compounded coping strategies such as modified eating behaviors, supplement use, and excessive exercise. In the local context, little is known about the equation connecting body image to improper eating behaviors and other potential coping mechanisms. This study primarily aims at critically identifying the nexus between features of disordered eating behavior including supplement use, and body image. Methodology: A probabilistic randomized sample of 305 gym members was assessed based on their level of body satisfaction and its influence on their eating habits and supplement use through a structured survey. Findings: Only 37% of the participants were satisfied with their body image. The results concurred with the notion of a poor body image influencing body esteem (χ2 (10) = 137.21, p < 0.05; Cramer V = 0.474). While exercise motivated the use of supplements, a significant relationship was also observed between disordered eating habits and supplement use (χ2 (4) = 48.63, p < 0.05; Cramer V = 0.399). A predictive model was successfully drawn inclusive of the disordered eating behaviors dimensions as a potent predictor of body image (χ2 (56) = 397.12, p < 0.001. Implications: This study presents an in-depth analysis of the magnitude of disordered eating behaviors with respect to individuals in the local fitness industry, and the need for professional support programs toward the re-alignment of body image in an effort to curtail the development of eating disorders in Mauritian gym-goers.

Youth perception of self and ideal self through drawings: association between perception and weight status

Context

The body image research literature has addressed how young people perceive their self-image thoroughly. Seldom however were youths asked to draw their current vs. ideal selves, neither has this been explored in comparison to weight differences.

Method

Ninety participants aged 6–17 (mean 11.73±, SD = 2.84) drew how they perceive themselves (“Me”) and how they might want to look like of they could change their appearance (“Preferred Me”). Participants completed a body figure scale test, and were measured to obtain their BMI percentile.

Results

180 drawings were analyzed. Results revealed a relation between drawing sizes of height, waist, width and weight status. Characters' emotions and weight were also associated.

Conclusion

Drawings are a youth friendly tool to gain non-invasive insight into youths' body image perception and can help capture perceptions attached to body image and weight. The results matter for medical, educational, and psychological professionals working on creating programs and tools to treat or assess youths' physical and mental challenges related to body image.

Mate Value Discrepancy and Mate Retention Behaviors of Self and Partner

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the relationship between perceived mate value discrepancy (i.e., the difference between an individual's mate value and their partner's mate value) and perceived frequency of mate retention performed by an individual relative to his or her partner.

METHOD

In two studies, participants in long-term, exclusive, sexual, heterosexual relationships reported their own, and their partner's, mate value and mate retention. Samples included 899 community members (Study 1) and 941 students and community members (Study 2).

RESULTS

In Study 1, we documented that individuals with higher self-perceived short-term mate value, and who perceive their partner to have lower (vs. higher) short-term mate value, perform less frequent Benefit-Provisioning mate retention, controlling for the partner's Benefit-Provisioning mate retention. In Study 2, we documented that individuals who perceive that they could less easily replace their partner, and who perceive their partner could more (vs. less) easily replace them, perform more frequent mate retention (Benefit-Provisioning and Cost-Inflicting), controlling for the partner's mate retention.

CONCLUSION

These results highlight the importance of assessing perceived discrepancies in mate value (notably, regarding the replaceability of self and partner with another long-term mate) and perceived mate retention behaviors of self, relative to partner, between men and women in long-term relationships.