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House T, Stephen ID, Brooks KR, Bould H, Attwood AS, Penton-Voak IS. The effect of an odd-one-out visual search task on attentional bias, body size adaptation, and body dissatisfaction. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:231817. [PMID: 39021772 PMCID: PMC11252673 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Body image disturbance is a both a risk factor for, and a symptom of, many eating disorders and refers to the misperception of and dissatisfaction with one's own body. Women with high body dissatisfaction have been shown to direct more attention to low body mass index (BMI) bodies, which results in the overestimation of body size via body size adaptation. Therefore, attention may have a causal role in body image disturbance. We conducted a novel training visual search task with 142 young adult women who we trained to attend to either high or low BMI bodies. We assessed the effects of this training on attention to bodies of different sizes, body size adaptation, and body dissatisfaction. Women trained to attend to low BMI bodies decreased their perceptions of a 'normal' body size via adaptation from pre- to post-training (p < 0.001); however, women trained to attend to high BMI bodies showed no change in their perception of a 'normal' body size. We found no lasting effects of the training on attention to body size or body dissatisfaction; however, our visual search task showed poor internal consistency as a measure of attention. These findings indicate that attention to low BMI bodies may exacerbate body image disturbance in women. However, more reliable measures of attentional are required to confirm this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. House
- School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
| | - I. D. Stephen
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK
| | - K. R. Brooks
- School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Perception in Action Research Centre (PARC), Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Lifespan Health & Wellbeing Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - H. Bould
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
- Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, Centre for Academic Mental Health, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
| | - A. S. Attwood
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - I. S. Penton-Voak
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Ridley BJ, Cornelissen PL, Maalin N, Mohamed S, Kramer RSS, McCarty K, Tovée MJ. Personal ideal, cultural ideal and optimal attractiveness: Are these constructs for body size and shape the same or different? Body Image 2024; 51:101747. [PMID: 38875992 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
There has been an assumption in the literature that the three concepts of ideal body shape (personal ideal, cultural ideal, and the most attractive body shape) are effectively the same percept. To test this presumption, 554 participants completed either a between- or within-subjects condition using a matrix of 32 bodies varying in two dimensions: muscle and adiposity. Three separate groups of participants were recruited to the between-subjects design and made only one of these judgements, whilst participants in the within-subjects version completed all three of these judgments. These bodies are based on 3D scans of 221 women's bodies and so accurately represent the change in size and shape caused by changing body composition. The participants also completed a set of psychometric questionnaires to index the degree to which external concepts of body image have been internalised. The results show that in both conditions, all three judgements collapse onto the same average preferred body shape, with low adiposity and relatively high muscularity. However, this masked systematic differences in responses between personal ideals and the other body judgements, which may be explained by a difference in how information directly related to oneself is processed relative to more abstract third person judgements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany J Ridley
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Piers L Cornelissen
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Nadia Maalin
- Department of Psychology, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Mohamed
- Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kristofor McCarty
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Martin J Tovée
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
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Brizzi G, Riva G, Romano D. The Body Image Virtual Reality Assessment (BIVRA): Measuring the body representation through virtual reality. J Neuropsychol 2024. [PMID: 38576316 DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Our physical and psychological well-being is significantly influenced by how we perceive our body, in addition to our thoughts and emotions associated with it. Dysfunctional body perceptions and attitudes play a key role in the development and maintenance of severe conditions such as eating disorders in both males and females. Given its relevance, some attempts have been made to improve body image assessment methods in terms of perceptual accuracy and body satisfaction taking advantage of technological advances such as virtual reality. However, existing applications have mainly focused on women and clinical conditions. In this study, we presented the Body Image Virtual Reality Assessment (BIVRA), a virtual reality figure rating scale to assess body image in both male and female subjects. We tested BIVRA's ability to measure perceptual accuracy and compared its results with a standardized body satisfaction questionnaire. Additionally, we investigated gender differences. BIVRA was found to be effective in assessing body image. We observed that a perceptually based task successfully captured both low and high levels of body representations, shedding light on the significant gender differences. The association between BIVRA and the body satisfaction questionnaires was moderated by gender, with a stronger association for women. While further validation of BIVRA is needed to fully exploit its potential, our results suggest that the integration of virtual reality into the assessment of body image and related disorders may significantly enhance our understanding of individuals struggling with body image issues and has the potential to advance current methods and techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Brizzi
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Riva
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Humane Technology Laboratory, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Romano
- Department of Psychology and MIBTEC: Mind and Behavior Technological Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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Platta AM, Mikulec AT, Radzymińska M, Ruszkowska M, Suwała G, Zborowski M, Kowalczewski PŁ, Nowicki M. Body image and willingness to change it-A study of university students in Poland. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293617. [PMID: 37910539 PMCID: PMC10619780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to identify declared patterns of ideal appearance among students at selected higher education institutions in Poland. In the present study, we set out to identify the body image and the propensity to change it. In order to achieve the goal of the study, a nationwide survey was carried out using a voluntary diagnostic survey. A total of 810 respondents took part in the survey. The study was conducted using a custom-made self-designed survey questionnaire with an indirect interview technique via a web-based platform (CAWI). The study results indicate that women were far more eager to maintain an attractive appearance through dieting than men. Importantly, the respondents, both women and men, did not identify influencers as role models of attractive appearance. Results of the present survey reveal that attitudes towards one's physical appearance are diverse and influenced by the considered factors. The attributes that determined the perception of oneself as an attractive person included height, weight, and body build. Normal body weight is a key feature of an attractive appearance, according to the respondents; nevertheless, students show a higher tolerance for being overweight than for being underweight. Furthermore, preferences in this respect are largely conditioned by individual personal characteristics. According to young people, a person with an attractive appearance is one who eats and exercises regularly, and who does not fall into extremes in terms of their appearance. On the other hand, the fear of growing fat and losing one's attractive appearance was frequently indicated among the concerns over personal appearance. Only one in five respondents expressed complete satisfaction with how they looked, with men and those with a normal BMI significantly more likely to do so. Respondents expressed readiness to undertake a range of activities related to increased exercise regime, changes in their eating habits, or seeking assistance (e.g., of a personal trainer) to achieve the desired body shape. Our findings can be used as a basis for discussion and consideration in developing educational activities on nutrition, as well as on overweight- and obesity-related health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Platta
- Faculty of Management and Quality Science, Gdynia Maritime University, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Anna T. Mikulec
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences, University of Applied Science in Nowy Sącz, Nowy Sącz, Poland
| | - Monika Radzymińska
- Faculty of Economic Sciences, Institute of Management Science and Quality, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Millena Ruszkowska
- Faculty of Management and Quality Science, Gdynia Maritime University, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Suwała
- Department of Food Product Quality, Krakow University of Economics, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marek Zborowski
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Applied Science in Nowy Sącz, Nowy Sacz, Poland
| | | | - Marcin Nowicki
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN, United States of America
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House T, Wong HK, Samuel NW, Stephen ID, Brooks KR, Bould H, Attwood AS, Penton-Voak IS. The relationship between body dissatisfaction and attentional bias to thin bodies in Malaysian Chinese and White Australian women: a dot probe study. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230674. [PMID: 37736527 PMCID: PMC10509588 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Studies suggest that an attentional bias to thin bodies is common among those with high levels of body dissatisfaction, which is a risk factor for, and symptom of, various eating disorders. However, these studies have predominantly been conducted in Western countries with body stimuli involving images of White people. In a preregistered study, we recruited 150 Malaysian Chinese women and 150 White Australian women for a study using standardized images of East Asian and White Australian bodies. To measure attentional bias to thin bodies, participants completed a dot probe task which presented images of women who self-identified their ethnicity as East Asian or as White Australian. Contrary to previous findings, we found no evidence for an association between body dissatisfaction and attentional bias to thin bodies. This lack of association was not affected by participant ethnicity (Malaysian Chinese versus White Australian) or ethnic congruency between participants and body stimuli (own-ethnicity versus other-ethnicity). However, the internal consistency of the dot probe task was poor. These results suggest that either the relationship between body dissatisfaction and attentional bias to thin bodies is not robust, or the dot probe task may not be a reliable measure of attentional bias to body size.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. House
- School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, UK
| | - H. K. Wong
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - N. W. Samuel
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - I. D. Stephen
- NTU Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - K. R. Brooks
- School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia
- Perception in Action Research Centre (PARC), Macquarie University, Australia
- Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - H. Bould
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
- Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, UK
| | - A. S. Attwood
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, UK
| | - I. S. Penton-Voak
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, UK
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Quittkat HL, Voges MM, Kisker J, Schöne B, Düsing R, Vocks S. One body, two faces: How double standards influence body evaluation in women with binge-eating disorder compared to mentally healthy women with higher weight and average weight. Int J Eat Disord 2023; 56:1752-1763. [PMID: 37272205 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research has found evidence that women with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) apply different standards for themselves than for others when evaluating bodies, an aspect of a disturbed body image. This study investigates whether women with binge-eating disorder (BED) likewise show self-deprecating double standards (DS). METHODS Women with BED (n = 40), women with higher weight (n = 40) and women with average weight (n = 40) viewed a presentation of different builds, including their individual ideal body, which were presented once with participants' own and once with an unknown woman's face. After each presentation, participants rated their emotional response regarding arousal and valence, and evaluated the body's attractiveness, body fat and muscle mass. DS were defined as the difference in ratings of the same body with one's own and the unknown face. RESULTS Women with BED showed a higher degree of negative emotions in response to a thin and a high-weight build, rated lower levels of body attractiveness for an athletic build, and displayed more arousal for almost all builds presented with their own compared to with another face. While women with BED showed a higher burden on measures of eating pathology and body image than the other groups, DS were not more pronounced in women with BED. DISCUSSION The findings contradict DS as a characteristic feature of BED, but underline "normative" DS for higher-weight/high-weight builds, reflecting weight stigmatization. Psychoeducation on these DS might complement cognitive-behavioral therapy in BED in order to reduce negative emotions. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE A bias in body evaluation has been proven in women with anorexia and BN, but no research has examined this in women with BED. This study provides evidence of DS in body evaluation in women with BED, compares the extent of DS between women with BED, higher weight, and average weight, and investigates individual body ideals in women with BED and higher weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L Quittkat
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Mona M Voges
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Joanna Kisker
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Experimental Psychology I, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Benjamin Schöne
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Experimental Psychology I, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Rainer Düsing
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Research Methodology, Diagnostics and Evaluation, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Silja Vocks
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
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Schloesser L, Lotter LD, Offermann J, Borucki K, Biemann R, Seitz J, Konrad K, Herpertz-Dahlmann B. Sex-dependent clinical presentation, body image, and endocrine status in long-term remitted anorexia nervosa. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2023. [PMID: 37319038 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although anorexia nervosa (AN) in males has recently gained attention, knowledge of its psychological and physiological outcomes is still scarce. We explore sex-specific characteristics of long-term remitted AN with respect to residual eating disorder (ED) psychopathology, body image, and endocrinology. METHOD We recruited 33 patients with AN in remission for at least 18 months (24 women, 9 men) and 36 matched healthy controls (HCs). Eating disorder psychopathology and body image ideals were assessed via clinical interviews, questionnaires, and an interactive 3D body morphing tool. Plasma levels of leptin, free triiodothyronine, cortisol, and sex hormones were quantified. Univariate models controlled for age and weight were used to test for the effects of diagnosis and sex. RESULTS Both patient groups showed residual ED psychopathology but normal weight and hormone levels relative to HCs. Male remitted patients demonstrated significantly stronger muscularity-focused body image ideals, evident in interviews, self-reports, and behavioural data, than both female patients and HCs. CONCLUSIONS Sex-specific body image characteristics in patients with remitted AN point towards the need to adjust test instruments and diagnostic criteria to male-specific psychopathology. In the future, sufficiently powered studies should evaluate the risk of men with AN developing muscle dysmorphia in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa Schloesser
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Leon D Lotter
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behaviour (INM-7), Jülich Research Centre, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Max Planck School of Cognition, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan Offermann
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Katrin Borucki
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ronald Biemann
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jochen Seitz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Konrad
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- JARA-Brain Institute II, Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Jülich Research Centre, Jülich, Germany
| | - Beate Herpertz-Dahlmann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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Han C, Li X, Wang S, Hong R, Ji J, Chen J, Zhu H, Morrison ER, Lei X. The picky men: Men's preference for women's body differed among attractiveness, health, and fertility conditions. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2022.111921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Schmidt M, Taube CO, Heinrich T, Vocks S, Hartmann AS. Body image disturbance and associated eating disorder and body dysmorphic disorder pathology in gay and heterosexual men: A systematic analyses of cognitive, affective, behavioral und perceptual aspects. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278558. [PMID: 36472982 PMCID: PMC9725123 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study contributes to the quantitatively large, yet narrow in scope research on body image in gay men by assessing whether gay and heterosexual men systematically differ on various dimensions of body image disturbance and associated pathology, i.e., eating disorder and body dysmorphic disorder symptoms. Moreover, we examined the influence of general everyday discrimination experiences and involvement with the gay community on body image. METHOD N = 216 men (n = 112 gay men, n = 104 heterosexual men) participated in an online survey measuring the discrepancy between self-rated current and ideal body fat/ muscularity; drive for leanness, muscularity, and thinness; body satisfaction; body-related avoidance and checking; appearance fixing; overall body image disturbance; eating disorder and body dysmorphic disorder pathology; general everyday discrimination experiences; and involvement with the gay community. RESULTS Gay men showed a greater discrepancy between self-rated current and ideal body fat; higher drive for thinness, body-related avoidance, appearance fixing, overall body image disturbance, eating disorder and body dysmorphic disorder pathology; and lower body appreciation than heterosexual men (all p ≤ .05). Contrary to expectation, everyday discrimination experiences were more strongly associated with body image disturbance and eating disorder/ body dysmorphic disorder pathology in heterosexual men than in gay men (all p ≤ .05). Gay community involvement was not associated with any body image disturbance-, ED-, or BDD aspect in gay men (all p ≥ .20). DISCUSSION The results suggest greater body image disturbance in gay men than in heterosexual men regarding cognitions, emotions, behaviors, and perception as well as higher eating disorder and body dysmorphic disorder pathology. The results also suggest the dilemma of a thin, yet muscular body ideal in gay men. Surprisingly, discrimination experiences and involvement with the gay community did not explain differences in body image disturbance. Gay men may have become resilient to discrimination over time, and body ideals might differ across gay sub-communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Schmidt
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Christoph O. Taube
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Thomas Heinrich
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Silja Vocks
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Andrea S. Hartmann
- Department of Psychology, Unit of Experimental Clinical Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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Ridley BJ, Cornelissen PL, Maalin N, Mohamed S, Kramer RSS, McCarty K, Tovée MJ. The degree to which the cultural ideal is internalized predicts judgments of male and female physical attractiveness. Front Psychol 2022; 13:980277. [PMID: 36337567 PMCID: PMC9626828 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.980277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
We used attractiveness judgements as a proxy to visualize the ideal female and male body for male and female participants and investigated how individual differences in the internalization of cultural ideals influence these representations. In the first of two studies, male and female participants judged the attractiveness of 242 male and female computer-generated bodies which varied independently in muscle and adipose. This allowed us to map changes in attractiveness across the complete body composition space, revealing single peaks for the attractiveness of both men and women. In the second study, we asked our participants to choose the most attractive male and female bodies in a method of adjustment task in which they could independently vary muscle and adipose to create the most attractive body. We asked whether individual differences in internalization of cultural ideals, drive for muscularity, eating disorder symptomatology and depressive symptoms could systematically shift the location of peak attractiveness in body composition space. We found a clear preference by both genders for a male body with high muscle and low adipose, and a toned, low adipose female body. The degree of internalization of cultural ideals predicted large individual differences in the composition of the most attractive bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany J. Ridley
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Piers L. Cornelissen
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Nadia Maalin
- Department of Psychology, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Mohamed
- Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kristofor McCarty
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Martin J. Tovée
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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11
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Lei X, Perrett D. Thinner bodies are preferred in China compared to Britain but are not seen as healthier. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03803-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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12
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Thornborrow T, Evans EH, Tovee MJ, Boothroyd LG. Sociocultural drivers of body image and eating disorder risk in rural Nicaraguan women. J Eat Disord 2022; 10:133. [PMID: 36068623 PMCID: PMC9450464 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00656-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Technological and economic globalisation has been suggested as a cause of increasing rates of body dissatisfaction and eating disorders globally, especially as regards the impact of mass media on internalised body ideals. This process is rarely observed in action, however. The current work investigates multiple aspects of body ideals, body image, sociocultural attitudes and eating attitudes in 62 Creole and Mestizo women living in communities at differing stages of technological development on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua METHOD/RESULTS: In Study 1, women used 3D avatar software to create their own 'ideal' body without the constraints of ready-made stimuli. Analyses of resulting avatars showed that components of the ideal body shape (upper and lower body curvaceousness) but not body size (body mass) were associated with levels of film and television consumption. In Study 2, women completed measures of variables in the sociocultural model of eating disorder risk. As expected, body dissatisfaction mediated the relationship between internalisation of sociocultural body ideals and pathological eating attitudes. In contrast, body appreciation reduced pathological eating attitudes, via reduced body dissatisfaction. Finally, Study 3 measured sociocultural influences, body image and eating attitudes at 2 or 3 timepoints per woman; body dissatisfaction covaried with pathological eating attitudes across time. Ethnicity varied in its effects across studies. DISCUSSION Together these data show that even at early stages of media acculturation, women may show similar patterns of association between sociocultural internalisation, body dissatisfaction and eating disorder risk as in high income nations. However, they also demonstrate unique aspects of this population's body shape ideals, and the independent protective effect of body appreciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Thornborrow
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, Lincolnshire, UK.
| | - E H Evans
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - M J Tovee
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - L G Boothroyd
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
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Voges MM, Quittkat HL, Schöne B, Vocks S. Giving a Body a Different Face—How Men and Women Evaluate Their Own Body vs. That of Others. Front Psychol 2022; 13:853398. [PMID: 35586240 PMCID: PMC9108869 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.853398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Eating disorders affect women more than men. Women reportedly dislike their body shape more and appreciate it less than do men. One factor influencing body image might be the application of different standards for oneself than for other people when evaluating bodies. To investigate this possibility, we determined whether the application of double standards is different between men and women. We presented 57 women and 54 men (aged 18–30 and of average weight) with pictures of their own bodies and pictures of average weight, overweight, and “ideal” bodies attached to the participants’ own face and to another person’s face. Participants were instructed to evaluate their emotional reaction to the pictures and then rate the various pictures on aspects of attractiveness, body fat, and muscle mass. The degree of the double standard was defined as the difference between ratings of what appeared to be one’s own body and what appeared to be someone else’s according to the presented face. The analyses revealed, firstly, that both genders applied self-deprecating double standards when viewing overweight and average-weight bodies. Women, but not men, also showed self-deprecating double standards when viewing the ideal body and their own body. By contrast, men applied fewer double standards when viewing the ideal body and self-enhancing double standards when viewing their own body. The study suggests that young, average-weight men are more or less satisfied with their own bodies, whereas young, average-weight women tend to apply a stricter standard for themselves than for others, thus devaluing their own bodies. This vulnerability to body image is hypothesized as contributing to the prevalence of eating disorders in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona M. Voges
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
- *Correspondence: Mona M. Voges,
| | - Hannah L. Quittkat
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Benjamin Schöne
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Silja Vocks
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
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14
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Hannier S, Tassoul A, De Sutter P. The understanding of women's sexual self-esteem in the light of the new concept of the sexualized body perception. SEXOLOGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sexol.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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15
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Talbot D, Mahlberg J. Beyond desirable: preferences for thinness and muscularity are greater than what is rated as desirable by heterosexual Australian undergraduate students. AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGIST 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00050067.2022.2033951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Talbot
- School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia
| | - Justin Mahlberg
- The Marcs Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
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16
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Sex Differences in Body Image Perception and Ideals: Analysis of Possible Determinants. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052745. [PMID: 35270436 PMCID: PMC8910708 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The study analyzed the differences between sexes in body image perception and body ideals to assess possible dissatisfaction and misinterpretation in the body image considered attractive for the other sex. Moreover, the influence of anthropometric traits and sports practice on body dissatisfaction and misjudgment was evaluated. Using a cross-sectional design, 960 Italian university students were investigated. Anthropometric characteristics were measured directly. Assessment of body image perception was performed using Thompson and Gray’s silhouettes. We developed two new indexes to assess the possible discrepancy between (1) the perceived silhouette of one’s body and that of the same sex deemed attractive to the other sex (FAD); (2) the silhouette is deemed attractive to the opposite sex and the average attractive silhouette selected by the opposite sex (AMOAD). As expected, females showed greater dissatisfaction with their bodies than males concerning both their own ideal and the silhouette they considered attractive to the opposite sex. Although both sexes misjudged the attractive silhouette for the opposite sex, women were found to be more wrong. According to the outcomes of multivariate regression models, stature, body composition parameters, amount of sport, sex, and FAD were significant predictors of dissatisfaction and misjudgment. In addition to action aimed at correcting misperceptions, the study revealed the importance of sports participation in improving the perception and acceptance of one’s body image.
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17
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Drawings or 3D models: Do illustration methods matter when assessing perceived body size and body dissatisfaction? PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261645. [PMID: 34932599 PMCID: PMC8691601 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Research has reported that both men and women experience body dissatisfaction. Among other instruments, a widely used method to assess perceived body size and body dissatisfaction are figure rating scales. Although a variety of illustration methods (e.g., three-dimensional, or 3D, models and line-drawing models) have been used to create these figure rating scales, to date, they have not been directly compared to one another. Thus, in the first study, which includes 511 participants at a mean age of 46 years old (range: 20–70), the present research work aims to assess how the line-drawing and 3D model scales, representing different body illustration methods, relate to each other. Furthermore, the first study assesses the validity of the indication of body dissatisfaction measured using these figure rating scales by comparing them to body checking or scrutinizing behavior and body appreciation levels. The project’s second study examines the two figure rating scales using objectively measured anthropometric data. In total, 239 participants at a mean age of 54 years (range: 18–94) were included. The results show that figure rating scales can be considered tools that measure perceptual body image due to their positive correlations with body checking behavior (for women) and their negative correlations with body appreciation. The 3D model and line-drawing scales show good to excellent inter-scale reliability, and both scales agree equally well with body mass index (BMI) measurements. Thus, the 3D model and line-drawing scales both seem well suited for assessing perceived body size and perceptual body dissatisfaction, suggesting that neither illustration method is superior to the other.
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18
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Jach Ł, Krystoń S. Self-reported body weight and weight-related stigmatization experiences among young adult women-two contexts, but similar attitudes related to body image, mental self-schemas, self-esteem, and stereotypes of people with obesity. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12047. [PMID: 34692244 PMCID: PMC8483002 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Weight stigma is a serious challenge because of its negative impact on human health and harmful psychological and behavioral consequences. The aim of the study was to explore and compare the relationships between self-reported body weight and weight-related stigmatization experiences and body image, mental self-image, self-esteem, and stereotypes concerning people with obesity among young adult Polish women (N = 374; aged between 18 and 35). Methods The study was conducted online on a Polish sample recruited through a social network site, a website, and snowball sampling. Body mass index (BMI) was used to assign the respondents to groups with normal or excess weight. We tested whether women enrolled in the study experienced weight-related stigmatization using two questions based on the concepts of spoiled identity and related to the obesity stigma. The Contour Drawing Rating Scale was used to study different aspects of the body image and discrepancies between them. The Self-Discrepancy Questionnaire was used to study the self-schemas associated with mental qualities. The Polish version of the Rosenberg’s Self Esteem Scale was applied to determine self-esteem level. Stereotypes concerning people with obesity were studied using the semantic differential method. Results Although excess weight was associated with weight-related stigmatization experiences, many women reported confronting such stigmatization even though their body weight was normal according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Women with excess weight and women with weight-related stigmatization experiences were characterized by larger discrepancies between the actual body image and the ideal, reflected, and ought body image, lower self-esteem, and more negative beliefs about their mental actual and reflected self compared to women with normal weight and without weight-related stigmatization experiences. The study participants from all groups tended to believe their actual body image to be ampler than the ideal and the ought body images. They also believed that other people perceived their mental qualities more positively than they did. The study groups were also characterized by negative stereotypes of people with obesity, although these stereotypes were more vital in women with excess weight and women who experienced weight-related stigmatization. Conclusion The study shows the similarity between psychological functioning of women with self-reported excess weight and those who experience weight-related stigma. The results also provide guidelines for practical actions aimed at reducing negative mental outcomes associated with not conforming to body weight standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Jach
- Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Sonia Krystoń
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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19
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Sisti A, Aryan N, Sadeghi P. What is Beauty? Aesthetic Plast Surg 2021; 45:2163-2176. [PMID: 33987698 DOI: 10.1007/s00266-021-02288-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In the current study, the authors attempt to thoroughly investigate the concept of beauty from different perspectives in different historical periods and offer their personal thoughts about it. METHODS The authors performed a comprehensive and across-the-board literature review about 'beauty', including beauty from a philosophical perspective, beauty perception by human mind, beauty from a biopsychological perspective, beauty of the face, body and breast, models of beauty and beauty in cosmetic surgery. RESULTS From Plato to modern neuro-psychological studies, the concept of beauty has always been a theme for adamant debates and passionate thoughts. Different aspects of beauty, from intellectual to pure physical, have received a tremendous amount of attention. The true definition of the concept of beauty is still ambiguous, and there is not a unanimous explanation for it. It seems that the definition of beauty differs in every individual's mind and over the history of humankind. CONCLUSION Although beauty is a very important concept and the seek for achieving it is a very natural behavior, one must remember that the importance of beauty should not overshadow the fact that every human being is made up of similar internal organs. We strongly encourage the reader to look beyond the hedge, to be aware that each of us is made up of internal organs, beyond the external appearance. Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine Ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
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20
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21
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Mohamed S, Kramer RSS, Thornborrow T, Pollet TV, Tovée MJ, Cornelissen PL. 3D visualisation of psychometric estimates for the ideal male body. Body Image 2021; 38:295-305. [PMID: 34023808 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Psychological concerns are frequently indexed by psychometric questionnaires but the mental representations that they seek to quantify are difficult to visualise. We used a set of questionnaires designed to measure men's concept of their bodies including: the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS; McCreary & Sasse, 2000), the Perceived Sociocultural Pressures Scale (PSPS; Stice, Nemeroff, & Shaw, 1996a), the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS-2; Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015), and the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3; Thompson, van den Berg, Roehrig, Guarda, & Heinberg, 2004). We combined their use with an interactive 3D modelling programme to allow men to create computer-generated representations of their ideal bodies. We used a principal component analysis to extract those shape components of our participants' CGI ideal bodies that were predicted by the questionnaires and reconstructed the body shapes that these questionnaires were capturing. Moving from the lowest to the highest score on both the DMS and SATAQ corresponded with changes in muscularity, particularly muscle mass and definition. This approach allows us to demonstrate the actual body features that are being captured by a particular questionnaire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Mohamed
- Department of Clinical Health, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill Rd, Cornhill Rd, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, UK
| | - Robin S S Kramer
- School of Psychology, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Tracey Thornborrow
- School of Psychology, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Thomas V Pollet
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Martin J Tovée
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK.
| | - Piers L Cornelissen
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
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22
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Appearance Satisfaction as a Predictor of Specific Sexual Problems and Associated Distress. J Sex Med 2021; 18:1532-1544. [PMID: 37057431 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Appearance dissatisfaction is a sensitive issue and has been tied to depression, dissatisfaction in romantic relationships, and reduced sexual satisfaction. AIM This study sought to examine associations between appearance satisfaction and specific sexual problems and related distress, testing also the moderating role of relationship satisfaction. METHODS A large web-sample of Norwegians in romantic relationships (N = 2,903) completed a one-time survey. OUTCOMES Participants reported on their experience of five different sexual problems and associated level of distress. RESULTS We found that appearance satisfaction was associated with reporting fewer sexual problems, and specifically, with a smaller likelihood of experiencing problems with lack of enjoyment, lack of excitement, and lack of climax. Furthermore, appearance satisfaction was unrelated to overall sexual problem-related distress, but was associated with feeling less distress about lack of excitement and lack of climax. Relationship satisfaction did not serve as a moderator of the associations. CLINICAL TRANSLATION These findings suggest the importance of attending to appearance satisfaction when working with clients with multiple sexual problems, particularly those related to excitement and enjoyment. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS Strengths of the study include a large sample of partnered adults and assessment of specific sexual problems and associated distress. A limitation is that outcomes were assessed using single items, rather than multi-item scales. CONCLUSION The study highlights the importance of examining the presence of sexual problems and associated distress separately, and to consider appearance satisfaction as a predictor of sexual functioning. Øverup CS, Strizzi JM, Cipric A, et al. Appearance Satisfaction as a Predictor of Specific Sexual Problems and Associated Distress. J Sex Med 2021;XX:XXX-XXX.
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23
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Leins J, Waldorf M, Suchan B, Diers M, Herpertz S, Paslakis G, Steins-Loeber S. Exposure to the thin beauty ideal: Are there subliminal priming effects? Int J Eat Disord 2021; 54:506-515. [PMID: 33432706 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous research suggested that exposure to the thin beauty ideal propagated by the media is associated with body dissatisfaction and the development of disordered eating. Given recent suggestions regarding the role of automatic processes, we aimed to enhance our understanding of automatic, unconscious responses to body pictures and the association with the internalization of the thin ideal and the severity of eating disorder symptoms. METHOD An affective priming task with body pictures of different weight as primes and a normal-weight body picture as target, which had to be evaluated with regard to attractiveness and desirability, was administered to healthy women with either subliminal prime presentation (Experiment 1) or conscious presentation (Experiment 2). RESULTS Subliminal presentation did not affect the evaluation of the normal-weight target, although strength of evaluative shifts was significantly associated with internalization of the thin ideal. In contrast, the conscious presentation of the ultra-thin prime decreased and of the obese prime increased desirability and attractiveness ratings of the target. DISCUSSION Prevention strategies focusing on the critical evaluation of the thin ideal are important. Future studies are warranted to enhance our understanding of automatic, unconscious processes in women experiencing eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Leins
- Department of Psychiatry, Ubbo-Emmius Hospital Norden, Norden, Germany.,Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Manuel Waldorf
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Boris Suchan
- Clinical Neuropsychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Diers
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL-University Hospital Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stephan Herpertz
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL-University Hospital Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Georgios Paslakis
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ruhr University Bochum, Lübbecke, Germany
| | - Sabine Steins-Loeber
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
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24
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Benau EM, Wiatrowski R, Timko CA. Difficulties in Emotion Regulation, Alexithymia, and Social Phobia Are Associated With Disordered Eating in Male and Female Undergraduate Athletes. Front Psychol 2020; 11:1646. [PMID: 32774318 PMCID: PMC7387713 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigations of disordered eating in the athlete population tend to focus on females and the influence of sport level. This leaves unanswered whether, and how, team interdependence (i.e., whether the competition is engaged with one person or as a team) may differentially impact male athletes. In the present study, we recruited a sample of non-athletes, individual athletes, and team athletes and examined the interaction of gender and teammate interdependence on established psychosocial risk factors for disordered eating, including social phobia, alexithymia, and emotion regulation. Although we identified a significant main effect of gender, there was no main effect of team type, nor was there a significant interaction of gender and team type. Using descriptive discriminant analysis, these variables significantly discriminated between genders. Women were defined by higher scores than men on drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and emotion recognition and men were defined by relatively higher scores on emotion dysregulation and binge eating. When we combined all athletes and compared them with non-athletes, a significant interaction of gender and athlete status emerged such that female athletes, compared to male athletes and women non-athletes, were defined by higher scores on drive for thinness, emotion dysregulation, and binge eating. Conversely, male athletes, compared to female athletes, were defined by greater difficulty identifying feelings and body dissatisfaction. Non-athletes were not well defined by the discriminant function. These results highlight that emotional processes convey risk of eating disorders in men and women, particularly in athletes, and these risk factors are not uniform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik M Benau
- Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Ryan Wiatrowski
- Department of Psychology, Towson University, Towson, MD, United States
| | - C Alix Timko
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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25
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Johnson SN, Engeln R. Gender Discrepancies in Perceptions of the Bodies of Female Fashion Models. SEX ROLES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11199-020-01167-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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26
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Lei X, Perrett D. Misperceptions of opposite-sex preferences for thinness and muscularity. Br J Psychol 2020; 112:247-264. [PMID: 32449533 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Thin and muscular have been characterized as ideals for women and men, respectively. Little research has investigated whether men and women have accurate perceptions of opposite-sex preferences of thinness and muscularity. Further, no study has explored whether opposite-sex perceptions of thinness and muscularity preferences differ for short-term and long-term relationships. The present study set out to address these questions. We used interactive 3D human models to represent bodies varying in size (body mass index/BMI weight scaled by height) and body composition. University-aged (18-31) White European heterosexual men and women were asked to choose their own and ideal body shape, the ideal body shape for a short- and a long-term partner, and the body shape they thought the opposite-sex would most like for short- and long-term partners. Women overestimated the thinness that men prefer in a partner and men overestimated the heaviness and muscularity that women prefer in a partner. These misperceptions were more exaggerated for short-term relationships than for long-term relationships. The results illustrate the importance of investigating misperceptions of opposite-sex preferences and raise the possibility that correcting misperceptions might have utility in reducing body dissatisfaction or eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Lei
- School of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, UK
| | - David Perrett
- School of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, UK
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27
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Thornborrow T, Onwuegbusi T, Mohamed S, Boothroyd LG, Tovée MJ. Muscles and the Media: A Natural Experiment Across Cultures in Men's Body Image. Front Psychol 2020; 11:495. [PMID: 32308635 PMCID: PMC7145896 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of studies are evidencing relationships between the drive for muscularity and potentially harmful behavioral strategies, such as unhealthy dieting and steroid use amongst men in WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) populations. As such Western appearance standards proliferate around the world via the media, men who live in other cultural contexts are also at risk of potentially negative effects from aspiring to the “muscular ideal.” However, few studies have explored these relationships in non-WEIRD populations. We investigated men’s body ideals and body image in two non-WEIRD, non-White populations, Uganda (Africa) and Nicaragua (Central America), and compared them with an ethnically diverse sample of men in the United Kingdom. We also examined whether socio-cultural factors including media and ethnicity, predicted the drive for muscularity and body change behaviors among our participants. Results showed that Ugandan men had the least desire for muscularity relative to men in the United Kingdom. Supporting the Tripartite model we found that media and peer influences significantly predicted the drive for muscularity, particularly among men from White British and Nicaraguan Miskitu ethnic groups. By contrast, Creole / Garifuna and Mestizo men from Nicaragua were more likely to want to increase muscularity relative to Black African men from Uganda. Overall, our findings support previous research in demonstrating that there are cultural differences in the kind of body men desire, and that men from WEIRD and non-WEIRD populations may experience similar pressures to aspire to and attain a muscular body type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracey Thornborrow
- School of Psychology, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Tochukwu Onwuegbusi
- School of Psychology, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Mohamed
- School of Psychology, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | | | - Martin J Tovée
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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28
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Neyret S, Bellido Rivas AI, Navarro X, Slater M. Which Body Would You Like to Have? The Impact of Embodied Perspective on Body Perception and Body Evaluation in Immersive Virtual Reality. Front Robot AI 2020; 7:31. [PMID: 33501199 PMCID: PMC7805750 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2020.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this experiment, we aimed to measure the conscious internal representation of one's body appearance and allow the participants to compare this to their ideal body appearance and to their real body appearance. We created a virtual representation of the internal image participants had of their own body shape. We also created a virtual body corresponding to the internal representation they had of their ideal body shape, and we built another virtual body based on their real body measures. Participants saw the three different virtual bodies from an embodied first-person perspective and from a third-person perspective and had to evaluate the appearance of those virtual bodies. We observed that female participants evaluated their real body as more attractive when they saw it from a third-person perspective, and that their level of body dissatisfaction was lower after the experimental procedure. We believe that third-person perspective allowed female participants to perceive their real body shape without applying the negative prior beliefs usually associated to the "self", and that this resulted in a more positive evaluation of their body shape. We speculate that this method could be applied with patients suffering from eating disorders, by making their body perception more realistic and therefore improve their body satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solène Neyret
- Event Lab, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna I Bellido Rivas
- Event Lab, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavi Navarro
- Event Lab, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mel Slater
- Event Lab, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,The Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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29
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Cass J, Giltrap G, Talbot D. Female Body Dissatisfaction and Attentional Bias to Body Images Evaluated Using Visual Search. Front Psychol 2020; 10:2821. [PMID: 32038346 PMCID: PMC6987376 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One factor, believed to predict body dissatisfaction is an individual’s propensity to attend to certain classes of human body image stimuli relative to other classes. These attentional biases have been evaluated using a range of paradigms, including dot-probe, eye-tracking and free view visual search, which have yielded a range of – often contradictory – findings. This study is the first to employ a classic compound visual search task to investigate the relationship between body dissatisfaction and attentional biases to images of underweight and with-overweight female bodies. Seventy-one undergraduate females, varying their degree of body dissatisfaction and Body Mass Index (BMI), searched for a horizontal or vertical target line among tilted lines. A separate female body image was presented within close proximity to each line. On average, faster search times were obtained when the target line was paired with a uniquely underweight or with-overweight body relative to neutral (average weight only) trials indicating that body weight-related images can effectively guide search. This congruent search effect was stronger for individuals with high eating restraint (a behavioral manifestation of body image disturbance) when search involved a uniquely underweight body. By contrast, individuals with high BMIs searched for lines more rapidly when paired with with-overweight rather than underweight bodies, than did individuals with lower BMIs. For incongruent trials – in which a unique body was paired with a distractor rather than the target – search times were indistinguishable from neutral trials, indicating that the deviant bodies neither compulsorily “captured” attention nor reduced participants’ ability to disengage their attention from either underweight or with-overweight bodies. These results imply the existence of attentional strategies which reflect one’s current body and goal-directed eating behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Cass
- School of Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Georgina Giltrap
- School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel Talbot
- School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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30
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Lôbo ILB, Mello MTD, Oliveira JRVD, Cruz MP, Guerreiro RDC, Silva A. Body image perception and satisfaction in university students. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE CINEANTROPOMETRIA E DESEMPENHO HUMANO 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1980-0037.2020v22e70423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Body image represents the mental perception of body shapes and is a multifactorial structure that includes psychological, physical and emotional elements. The discrepancy between the subjective perception of body image and the desire for the ideal body type can interfere with the feeling of satisfaction and trigger the desire for changes in appearance, directly interfering with mental health and general well-being. Men and women may differ in body image satisfaction due to the different social influences and beauty standards imposed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the subjective perception of body image and satisfaction with body shapes among men and women. The sample consisted of 100 college students of both genders. Subjective perception of body image and satisfaction were measured through self-assessment, through scale figure silhouettes. There was a significant difference in the subjective perception of body image in the comparison between genders, and women presented greater discrepancy between the real and the perceived image. In the analysis of satisfaction with body image there were no differences between genders and both presented high percentage of dissatisfaction. In addition, 46.2% of men would like to decrease their body shapes, 53.8% would increase them. As for women, 76.1% would like to decrease their body dimensions and 23.9% to increase them. The strong pressures imposed by society and the standards set by the prevailing media in determining body image dissatisfaction or self-assessment negatively, regardless of gender.
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31
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Stereotypes of physical attractiveness and social influences: The heritage and vision of Dr. Thomas Cash. Body Image 2019; 31:273-279. [PMID: 30713132 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Dr. Thomas Cash conducted seminal work on the beliefs and stereotypes related to attractiveness as well as their impact, and their transmission through cultural and interpersonal processes. This initial work has inspired and given rise to an important body of research significantly increasing our understanding of these processes. Here we review the initial contributions and research directions set up by Dr. Cash, as well as the main findings of the research that has built on his foundations. Specifically, we review findings related to the existence of attractiveness stereotypes and appearance ideals, research examining the social and interpersonal impacts of such stereotypes, and finally the sociocultural transmission of these beliefs. Future directions related to the extension of our understanding to appearance characteristics beyond shape and weight, as well as increased focus on minority identities and their intersection, are proposed.
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32
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Tilburt JC, O Byrne T, Branda ME, Phelan S. Higher BMI associated with shorter visits in male oncology patients: An exploratory analysis. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2019; 102:2353-2357. [PMID: 31331706 PMCID: PMC6851463 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the potential relationship between measures of patient-provider communication and patient body mass index (BMI) and gender in cancer care. METHODS We audio-recorded cancer patients' communication with their clinicians in an academic medical oncology practice from 2012-2014. We coded audio-recordings with the Roter Interaction Analysis System. We then examined whether BMI was associated with patient centeredness, time with doctor, global affect, and patient self-reported communication quality. Univariate associations with BMI were assessed with Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. A cumulative logit model adjusted for patient and visit characteristics in a multivariable model. RESULTS We recorded 327 patient interactions with 37 clinicians. After adjusting for patient sex, and visit characteristics, visit length, patient-centeredness, global affect (patient or clinician) and satisfaction did not differ. However, higher BMI was associated with shorter visit length, and lower Negative Global Affect (p = 0.03 and p = 0.03, respectively) in men only. CONCLUSION In this exploratory analysis, communication characteristics did not vary by patient BMI overall. However, in men, higher BMI was associated with shorter visit length and more negative affect. Those differences did not persist after adjusting for multiple comparisons. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Patient body size may contribute to clinical communication in cancer care, particularly for obese men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon C Tilburt
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Division of Healthcare Policy and Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Biomedical Ethics Research Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| | - Thomas O Byrne
- Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Megan E Branda
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Sean Phelan
- Division of Healthcare Policy and Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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33
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Jones AR, Tovée MJ, Cutler LR, Parkinson KN, Ells LJ, Araujo-Soares V, Pearce MS, Mann KD, Scott D, Harris JM, Adamson AJ. Development of the MapMe intervention body image scales of known weight status for 4-5 and 10-11 year old children. J Public Health (Oxf) 2019; 40:582-590. [PMID: 29190364 PMCID: PMC6266708 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdx129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parents tend to visually assess children to determine their weight status and typically underestimate child body size. A visual tool may aid parents to more accurately assess child weight status and so support strategies to reduce childhood overweight. Body image scales (BIS) are visual images of people ranging from underweight to overweight but none exist for children based on UK criteria. Our aim was to develop sex- and age-specific BIS for children, based on British growth reference (UK90) criteria. Methods BIS were developed using 3D surface body scans of children, their associated weight status using UK90 criteria from height and weight measurements, and qualitative work with parents and health professionals. Results Height, weight and 3D body scans were collected (211: 4–5 years; 177: 10–11 years). Overall, 12 qualitative sessions were held with 37 participants. Four BIS (4–5-year-old girls and boys, 10–11-year-old girls and boys) were developed. Conclusions This study has created the first sex- and age-specific BIS, based on UK90 criteria. The BIS have potential for use in child overweight prevention and management strategies, and in future research. This study also provides a protocol for the development of further BIS appropriate to other age groups and ethnicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Jones
- Institute of Health & Society, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - M J Tovée
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK.,Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - L R Cutler
- Institute of Health & Society, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - K N Parkinson
- Institute of Health & Society, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - L J Ells
- School of Health and Social Care, Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - V Araujo-Soares
- Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - M S Pearce
- Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - K D Mann
- Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - D Scott
- Department of Public Health and Wellbeing, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - J M Harris
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience. University of St Andrews, Fife, UK
| | - A J Adamson
- Institute of Health & Society, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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34
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The dark side of bodybuilding: the role of bodybuilding activities in compensation of frustrated basic psychological needs. MOTIVATION AND EMOTION 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11031-019-09805-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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35
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Polo P, Muñoz‐Reyes JA, Pita M, Shackelford TK, Fink B. Testosterone‐dependent facial and body traits predict men's sociosexual attitudes and behaviors. Am J Hum Biol 2019; 31:e23235. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Revised: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Polo
- Laboratorio de Comportamiento Animal y Humano Universidad de Playa Ancha de Ciencias de la Educación Viña del Mar Chile
| | - Jose Antonio Muñoz‐Reyes
- Laboratorio de Comportamiento Animal y Humano Universidad de Playa Ancha de Ciencias de la Educación Viña del Mar Chile
| | - Miguel Pita
- Departamento de Biología Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Madrid Spain
| | - Todd K. Shackelford
- Department of Psychology Oakland University Rochester Michigan United States
| | - Bernhard Fink
- Department of Behavioral Ecology University of Goettingen Goettingen Germany
- Institute for Advanced Study Hanse‐Wissenschaftskolleg Delmenhorst Germany
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36
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Voges MM, Giabbiconi CM, Schöne B, Waldorf M, Hartmann AS, Vocks S. Gender Differences in Body Evaluation: Do Men Show More Self-Serving Double Standards Than Women? Front Psychol 2019; 10:544. [PMID: 30930819 PMCID: PMC6428027 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Generally speaking, compared to women, men are less dissatisfied with their own body and consider themselves to be better-looking and less overweight. So far, however, it is unclear whether these divergent body ratings arise from the application of double standards. With the present study, we examined whether men apply different standards to their own body than to other men’s bodies and whether they differ from women in this regard. To this aim, we presented n = 104 women and n = 93 men with pictures of thin, average-weight, overweight, athletic and hypermuscular male and female bodies on a computer screen. To manipulate identification, we showed the bodies of the respective participant’s gender once with the participant’s own face and once with the face of another person. Identity cues, such as faces, might activate different body schemata, which influence body ratings and thus lead to the application of double standards. Participants were instructed to rate their emotional reaction to the bodies according to valence and arousal, and to rate the bodies with respect to attractiveness, body fat, and muscle mass. The application of double standards was determined by calculating the difference between the rating of a body presented with the participant’s face and the rating of the same body presented with another person’s face. Both women and men showed self-deprecating double standards in valence, body attractiveness, body fat and muscle mass for the overweight body. Men also revealed self-deprecating double standards for the thin, average-weight and hypermuscular bodies, but evaluated the athletic body as more attractive and with a higher positive feeling when it was presented with their own face. Women did not show any self-serving double standards and showed fewer self-deprecating double standards than men. The results indicate that men devalue non-ideal bodies and upvalue ideal bodies when they are self-related, whereas women more rate in a fair-minded manner. Thus, in contrast to women, an advantage for men may be that they are able to self-enhance in the case of desirable bodies. This ability to self-enhance regarding desirable features might be beneficial for men’s self-worth and body satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona M Voges
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Claire-Marie Giabbiconi
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Benjamin Schöne
- Department of Experimental Psychology I, Institute of Psychology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Manuel Waldorf
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Andrea S Hartmann
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Silja Vocks
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
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37
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Muñoz-Reyes JA, Polo P, Rodríguez-Sickert C, Pavez P, Valenzuela N, Ramírez-Herrera O. Muscularity and Strength Affect Individual Variation in Self-Perception of Fighting Ability in Men. Front Psychol 2019; 10:18. [PMID: 30723439 PMCID: PMC6349773 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: There is evidence that competitive conflicts are the main form of intrasexual competition among men. The capacity to recognize visual cues of fighting ability in competitors is thought to be an important characteristic that allows men to avoid the costs of contest competition. However, for an accurate comparison to take place, individuals need to compare the fighting ability of their competitors to their own to assess this asymmetry. Methods: In order to improve our understanding of this self-assessment process, here we study the relationship between visual fighting ability cues, namely (i) muscularity, as measured with a bioimpedance device, (ii) the real capacity to inflict cost to a rival based on strength, as measured with a hand grip dynamometer (HGS), and (iii) self-perceived fighting ability, as determined with a questionnaire. The study sample was 364 men between 18 and 38 years of age (M ± SD = 22.27 ± 3.99). Results: Our results confirm the expected positive relationship between upper-body muscularity and strength, while controlling for body mass index (BMI). However, muscularity explained only around 30.2% of the variance in strength. In addition, muscularity was related to self-perception of fighting ability in our sample, its effect being partially mediated by strength. Conclusion: The more muscular men perceive their fighting ability as being greater, and not only because they are stronger (at least in the HGS task). Accordingly, it seems that men take into account the overestimation the robustness of the relationship between strength and muscularity that prevails within his peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio Muñoz-Reyes
- Laboratorio de Comportamiento Animal y Humano, Centro de Estudios Avanzados, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Pablo Polo
- Laboratorio de Comportamiento Animal y Humano, Centro de Estudios Avanzados, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile.,Grupo UCM de Estudio del Comportamiento Animal y Humano, Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Rodríguez-Sickert
- Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social, Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paula Pavez
- Laboratorio de Comportamiento Animal y Humano, Centro de Estudios Avanzados, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Nohelia Valenzuela
- Laboratorio de Comportamiento Animal y Humano, Centro de Estudios Avanzados, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile.,Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andrés Bello, Viña del Mar, Chile
| | - Oriana Ramírez-Herrera
- Laboratorio de Comportamiento Animal y Humano, Centro de Estudios Avanzados, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile
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38
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Groves V, Cornelissen P, McCarty K, Mohamed S, Maalin N, Tovée MJ, Cornelissen K. How Does Variation in the Body Composition of Both Stimuli and Participant Modulate Self-Estimates of Men's Body Size? Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:720. [PMID: 31649565 PMCID: PMC6794946 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
When measured in units of body mass index (BMI), how much variation in men's self-estimates of body size is caused by i) variation in participants' body composition and ii) variation in the apparent muscle mass and muscle tone of the stimuli being judged? To address this, we generated nine sets of male CGI bodies representing low, mid, and high muscle mass rendered at low, mid, and high muscle tone, from 18.75 to 40 BMIhse units. BMIhse units in this study are estimates of BMI derived from calibration equations predicting BMI from waist and hip circumference, age, sex, height, and ethnicity in the Health Survey for England databases. Forty-five healthy adult men estimated their body size using a yes-no paradigm for each combination of muscle mass/tone. We also measured participants' body composition with Harpenden callipers and their body concerns with psychometric questionnaires. We show that stimulus variation in apparent muscle mass/tone can introduce differences up to ∼2.5 BMIhse units in men's self-estimates of body size. Moreover, men with the same actual BMI, but different body composition, showed up to ∼5-7 BMIhse unit differences in self-estimates of body size. In the face of such large errors, we advocate that such judgments in men should be made instead by simultaneously manipulating both the adiposity and the muscle mass of stimuli which are appropriately calibrated for body composition, so that the participant can match the body size and shape they believe themselves to have to the stimulus they see.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki Groves
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Piers Cornelissen
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Kristofor McCarty
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Mohamed
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Nadia Maalin
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | | | - Katri Cornelissen
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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39
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Diekhoff DD, Diekhoff GM, Vandehey MA. A comparison of men's and women's perceptions of the female body using a multidimensional scaling analysis of naturalistic stimuli. Health Psychol Open 2019; 6:2055102919854665. [PMID: 31210958 PMCID: PMC6552370 DOI: 10.1177/2055102919854665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Men and women worked with 25 naturalistic photos of females representing varied physiques. Similarity judgments of the photos were analyzed using multidimensional scaling analysis to produce composite maps for male and female participants. A comparison of the maps showed gender similarities and differences. Both genders used almost identical attributes in judging similarities and identified almost identical body types, but men were more inclusive in identifying ideal females; men included curvaceous females that were rejected by women. Women identified very thin females that were rejected by men. Men were affectively most positive toward female ideals; women were most positive to near-ideals.
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40
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Vörös K, Márkus B, Hargittay C, Sisak O, Kalabay L. Perceived cardiovascular risk and attitude towards lifestyle change. Fam Pract 2018; 35:712-717. [PMID: 29897431 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmy028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular diseases are prominent cause of death. Lifestyle change is effective in decreasing mortality. Perception of patients' cardiovascular risk by physicians is a drive for following preventive recommendations. Whether the hazard perceived by patients influences their attitude towards lifestyle is uncertain. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that high perceived risk would be associated with a stronger determination for lifestyle change, while incorrectly optimistic patients would be less motivated. METHODS Two hundred patients visiting their family physicians were asked to fill out a questionnaire about demographic, clinical and lifestyle characteristics, about their attitude towards lifestyle change and their estimation of their cardiovascular risk. Actual risk was estimated by family physicians based on the national guideline. RESULTS Questionnaires were completed by 80.5% (161/200) of patients approached. Patients underestimated their risk (P < 0.001), mainly because high-/very high-risk patients classified themselves into lower risk categories. The majority of patients were planning a lifestyle change, losing weight being the most popular goal. It was the priority even for some normal weight subjects and for smokers, too. Perceived risk played a marginal role as a determinant of lifestyle change. Underestimation of perceived risk had no effect on patients' motivation. Self-rated obesity was the predictor of three out of five means of change (weight loss, diet, physical activity). CONCLUSION Perceived cardiovascular risk and incorrect optimism about this hazard have minimal, if any, influence on attitude towards lifestyle change. Patients' motivation seems not to be primarily health related.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krisztián Vörös
- Department of Family Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bernadett Márkus
- Department of Family Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csenge Hargittay
- Department of Family Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Sisak
- Department of Family Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Kalabay
- Department of Family Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Mazzurega M, Marisa J, Zampini M, Pavani F. Thinner than yourself: self-serving bias in body size estimation. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2018; 84:932-949. [PMID: 30467818 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-018-1119-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The self-serving bias is the tendency to consider oneself in unrealistically positive terms. This phenomenon has been documented for body attractiveness, but it remains unclear to what extent it can also emerge for own body size perception. In the present study, we examined this issue in healthy young adults (45 females and 40 males), using two body size estimation (BSE) measures and taking into account inter-individual differences in eating disorder risk. Participants observed pictures of avatars, built from whole body photos of themselves or an unknown other matched for gender. Avatars were parametrically distorted along the thinness-heaviness dimension, and individualised by adding the head of the self or the other. In the first BSE task, participants indicated in each trial whether the seen avatar was thinner or fatter than themselves (or the other). In the second BSE task, participants chose the best representative body size for self and other from a set of avatars. Greater underestimation for self than other body size emerged in both tasks, comparably for women and men. Thinner bodies were also judged as more attractive, in line with standard of beauty in modern western society. Notably, this self-serving bias in BSE was stronger in people with low eating disorder risk. In sum, positive attitudes towards the self can extend to body size estimation in young adults, making own body size closer to the ideal body. We propose that this bias could play an adaptive role in preserving a positive body image.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Mazzurega
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Corso Bettini 31, 38068, Rovereto (Trento), Italy.
| | - Jlenia Marisa
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto (Trento), Italy
| | - Massimiliano Zampini
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Corso Bettini 31, 38068, Rovereto (Trento), Italy
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto (Trento), Italy
| | - Francesco Pavani
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Corso Bettini 31, 38068, Rovereto (Trento), Italy
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto (Trento), Italy
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Hannier S, Baltus A, De Sutter P. Le rôle de la satisfaction physique dans l’estime de soi sexuelle féminine. SEXOLOGIES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sexol.2017.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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43
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Hannier S, Baltus A, De Sutter P. The role of physical satisfaction in women's sexual self-esteem. SEXOLOGIES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sexol.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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44
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Lassek WD, Gaulin SJC. Do the Low WHRs and BMIs Judged Most Attractive Indicate Better Health? EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY 2018; 16:1474704918803998. [PMID: 30296849 PMCID: PMC10367492 DOI: 10.1177/1474704918803998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
It is widely claimed that in well-nourished populations, very low female waist-hip ratios (WHRs) together with low body mass indices (BMIs) are judged attractive by men because these features reliably indicate superior health and fertility. However, studies show that mortality rates are higher in women with low BMIs than in women with average BMIs and are inversely related to BMI in subsistence populations. Measures of current health in women of reproductive age have not been similarly studied. We analyze large U.S. samples of reproductive-age women and show that controlling for other factors known to affect health, those with low BMIs (<20), WHRs, or waist/stature ratios did not have better health than those with values in the middle range, and there was no relationship between subsequent health outcomes and BMI in early adulthood. Lower self-reported BMIs were linked to poorer health and an increased risk of infection. However, based on recent U.S. natality data, primiparas with lower BMIs had a lower risk of an operative delivery and of gestational hypertension. Beyond these two parity-restricted effects, relevant studies and new tests fail to support the view that women with the very low BMIs and WHRs consistently judged attractive are generally healthier than women with average values; significant correlations were consistently in the opposite direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- William D. Lassek
- Department of Anthropology, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Steven J. C. Gaulin
- Department of Anthropology, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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45
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Thornborrow T, Jucker JL, Boothroyd LG, Tovée MJ. Investigating the link between television viewing and men's preferences for female body size and shape in rural Nicaragua. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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46
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Kawakami N, Miura E, Nagai M. When You Become a Superman: Subliminal Exposure to Death-Related Stimuli Enhances Men's Physical Force. Front Psychol 2018. [PMID: 29541042 PMCID: PMC5835536 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Research based on terror management theory (TMT) has consistently found that reminders to individuals about their mortality engender responses aimed at shoring up faith in their cultural belief system. Previous studies have focused on the critical role that the accessibility of death-related thought plays in these effects. Moreover, it has been shown that these effects occur even when death-related stimuli are presented without awareness, suggesting the unconscious effects of mortality salience. Because one pervasive cultural ideal for men is to be strong, we hypothesized that priming death-related stimuli would lead to increasing physical force for men, but not for women. Building on self-escape mechanisms from TMT, we propose that the mechanism that turns priming of death-related stimuli into physical exertion relies on the co-activation of the self with death-related concepts. To test this hypothesis, we subjected 123 participants to a priming task that enabled us to combine the subliminal priming of death-related words with briefly presented self-related words. Accordingly, three different conditions were created: a (control) condition in which only self-related stimuli were presented, a (priming) condition in which death-related words were subliminally primed but not directly paired with self-related stimuli, and a (priming-plus-self) condition in which death-related words were subliminally primed and immediately linked to self-related stimuli. We recorded handgrip force before and after the manipulations. Results showed that male participants in the priming-plus-self condition had a higher peak force output than the priming and control conditions, while this effect was absent among female participants. These results support the hypothesis that unconscious mortality salience, which is accompanied with self-related stimuli, increases physical force for men but not for women. The gender difference may reflect the cultural belief system, in which individuals are taught that men should be strong. Thus, the unconscious mortality salience produced by exposure to the death-related stimuli motivates need to conform to this internalized cultural standard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoaki Kawakami
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Shimane University, Matsue, Japan
| | - Emi Miura
- Graduate School of Education, Shimane University, Matsue, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Nagai
- College of Comprehensive Psychology, Ritsumeikan University, Ibaraki, Japan
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Cornelissen PL, Cornelissen KK, Groves V, McCarty K, Tovée MJ. View-dependent accuracy in body mass judgements of female bodies. Body Image 2018; 24:116-123. [PMID: 29414144 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A fundamental issue in testing body image perception is how to present the test stimuli. Previous studies have almost exclusively used images of bodies viewed in front-view, but this potentially obscures key visual cues used to judge adiposity reducing the ability to make accurate judgements. A potential solution is to use a three-quarter view, which combines visual cues to body fat that can be observed in front and profile. To test this hypothesis, 20 female observers completed a 2-alternative forced choice paradigm to determine the smallest difference in body fat detectable in female bodies in front, three-quarter, and profile view. There was a significant advantage for three-quarter and profile relative to front-view. Discrimination accuracy is predicted by the saliency of stomach depth, suggesting that this is a key visual cue used to judge body mass. In future, bodies should ideally be presented in three-quarter to accurately assess body size discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piers L Cornelissen
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Katri K Cornelissen
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Victoria Groves
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Kristofor McCarty
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Martin J Tovée
- School of Psychology, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 7TS, UK.
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de Castro MR, Morgado FFR, Freitas IF. Brazilian Photographic Figure Rating Scale for Men: Psychometric Investigation. Percept Mot Skills 2018; 125:493-506. [PMID: 29444625 DOI: 10.1177/0031512518757351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
As a follow-up to an earlier study from this research group involving women, this study examined the reliability and validity of the Brazilian Photographic Figure Rating Scale for Men (BPFRS-M) for evaluating men's body perception and dissatisfaction. In both versions of the Brazilian Photographic Figure Rating Scale (BPFRS), respondents viewed eight photographic images (seven distorted and one accurate) of themselves in standard poses and then offered self-ratings. In both versions, 10 experts assessed content validity and demonstrated high agreement (defined by ratings of 4-5 on a 5-point scale) that BPFRS items measured underlying constructs: and experts showed high (>70%) interrater agreement. For this version, participants were 149 Brazilian men (Mean = 22.4; SD = 2.7 years). Pearson correlations demonstrated convergence between the BPFRS-M and two related scales of men's body image. Positive correlations ( p = .0001) were found between actual and respondent-perceived body mass index (BMI). Test-retest and Kappa Index confirmed temporal stability. The BPFRS-M can accurately and reliably assess body perception and dissatisfaction in young men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela R de Castro
- 1 Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Fabiane F R Morgado
- 2 Department of Physical Education, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Ismael F Freitas
- 3 Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University, Presidente Prudent, Brazil
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Buscemi S, Marventano S, Castellano S, Nolfo F, Rametta S, Giorgianni G, Matalone M, Marranzano M, Mistretta A. Role of anthropometric factors, self-perception, and diet on weight misperception among young adolescents: a cross-sectional study. Eat Weight Disord 2018; 23:107-115. [PMID: 27502108 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-016-0306-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Adolescence overweight and obesity have increased considerably, and the misperception of their weight status could reduce the efficiency of intervention programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence rate of misperception and to assess the relationship between weight perception and anthropometric parameters, self-perception, physical activity, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. METHODS A total of 1643 young adolescents (11-16 years old) were surveyed in a cross-sectional investigation during two scholastic years (period October-May of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014) in 15 secondary schools of Sicily, southern Italy. Data on demographic information, anthropometric characteristics (bioelectrical impedance), physical activity level, The Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile, weight perception, and dietary habits (KIDMED) were collected. RESULTS Misperception was found in the 27.6 % of the young adolescents, and boys were more likely to underestimate their weight status, while girls had a high percentage of overestimation. The strong association with weight misperception was with socioeconomic status, waist circumference, physical activities, and physical self-worth. Moreover, a good adherence to the Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with both overestimation and underestimation in both boys and girls. CONCLUSION These findings highlight that almost one-third of the participants had a weight misperception that was associated with several anthropometric, social, and lifestyle factors. Future intervention to prevent overweight and obesity should consider not only gender-specific differences, but also parental SES, perception, and satisfaction of body weight status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Buscemi
- Laboratorio di Nutrizione Clinica, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica (DIBIMIS), P. Giaccone Policlinico, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Stefano Marventano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sabrina Castellano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Francesca Nolfo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Stefania Rametta
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gabriele Giorgianni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Matalone
- Department of School Policies, Municipality of Catania, 95131, Catania, CT, Italy
| | - Marina Marranzano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Mistretta
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Visual attention mediates the relationship between body satisfaction and susceptibility to the body size adaptation effect. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0189855. [PMID: 29385137 PMCID: PMC5791942 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Body size misperception–the belief that one is larger or smaller than reality–affects a large and growing segment of the population. Recently, studies have shown that exposure to extreme body stimuli results in a shift in the point of subjective normality, suggesting that visual adaptation may be a mechanism by which body size misperception occurs. Yet, despite being exposed to a similar set of bodies, some individuals within a given geographical area will develop body size misperception and others will not. The reason for these individual difference is currently unknown. One possible explanation stems from the observation that women with lower levels of body satisfaction have been found to pay more attention to images of thin bodies. However, while attention has been shown to enhance visual adaptation effects in low (e.g. rotational and linear motion) and high level stimuli (e.g., facial gender), it is not known whether this effect exists in visual adaptation to body size. Here, we test the hypothesis that there is an indirect effect of body satisfaction on the direction and magnitude of the body fat adaptation effect, mediated via visual attention (i.e., selectively attending to images of thin over fat bodies or vice versa). Significant mediation effects were found in both men and women, suggesting that observers’ level of body satisfaction may influence selective visual attention to thin or fat bodies, which in turn influences the magnitude and direction of visual adaptation to body size. This may provide a potential mechanism by which some individuals develop body size misperception–a risk factor for eating disorders, compulsive exercise behaviour and steroid abuse–while others do not.
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