Body image assessed by a video distortion technique: the relationship between ideal and perceived body image and body dissatisfaction

Abstract

Current sociocultural beliefs de®ne feminine beauty as being tall and slender. The relationship between Perceived Body Image, Ideal Body Image and Body Dissatisfaction were assessed by the Distorting Television Image Method (DTIM) in a sample of 78 female subjects ranging in age from 15 to 65 years. Of the sample 88.46 per cent desired a taller and thinner body than their own undistorted image as seen on the television screen. These subjects with an Ideal Body taller and thinner than their own, also had a Perceived Body Image which was taller and thinner than it actually was, yet they were the most dissatis®ed with their body dimensions. The subjects with an Ideal Body Image very different from the current sociocultural standards showed the lowest level of Body Dissatisfaction.

Associates of obesity and weight dissatisfaction among Finnish adolescents

“…The results of studies investigating weight satisfaction and weight perceptions among adolescents are quite consistent: weight dissatisfaction is common, especially among girls, with most dissatisfied girls thinking that they are too fat, while boys equally often see themselves as too thin as too fat 9,12,19 -23 . Weight perceptions have frequently been found to be unrealistic 9,12,19,20,24 . The finding in our study that regarding oneself as overweight was more prevalent among the underweight than among those of normal weight suggests that underweight adolescents may often have distorted body image.…”

“…Obesity in adolescence has been found to be associated with lowered self-esteem 8 . While the prevalence of overweight is high, the ideal body shape among girls is markedly thin 9,10 . This contradiction may cause distress and lead to unhealthy weight control practices 11 .…”

Effects on mood of a bogus weight gain

“…The stigma associated with body image, in particular obesity, is becoming an overwhelming issue for many people in today's society (Puhl & Brownell, 2003). There has been a shift in social norms toward thinness in women and muscularity in men (Guaraldi, Orlandi, Boselli, & O'Donnell, 1999). In the setting and monitoring of personal goals, different methods are applied most of which involve regular weighing.…”

A prática de dietas para emagrecimento pelo público feminino: um estudo à luz do bem-estar alimentar

“…Atualmente o modelo sociocultural de beleza feminina está associado à magreza e a alta estatura, padrão muitas vezes estimulado pelos meios de comunicação de massa, pela indústria da moda, e reforçado pela sociedade de uma forma geral (Tiggeman, 2014). Sendo assim, o desejo por alcançar esse 'padrão ideal' é prevalente em muitas mulheres, o que acaba influenciando seus comportamentos em relação à prática de dietas e exercícios, podendo inclusive, estar envolvido no desenvolvimento de transtornos alimentares (Guaraldi, Orlandi, Boselli, & O'Donnell, 1999). Corroboram também com essas ideias, Leonhard e Barry (1998) ao afirmarem que a preocupação na sociedade ocidental com uma imagem feminina ideal e irrealista, cada vez mais magra, tem desencadeado o aumento da incidência de distúrbios alimentares.…”

“…Atualmente o modelo sociocultural de beleza feminina está associado à magreza e a alta estatura, padrão muitas vezes estimulado pelos meios de comunicação de massa, pela indústria da moda, e reforçado pela sociedade de uma forma geral (Tiggeman, 2014). Sendo assim, o desejo por alcançar esse 'padrão ideal' é prevalente em muitas mulheres, o que acaba influenciando seus comportamentos em relação à prática de dietas e exercícios, podendo inclusive, estar envolvido no desenvolvimento de transtornos alimentares (Guaraldi, Orlandi, Boselli, & O'Donnell, 1999). À luz do exposto, nesta tese assume-se que existem vulnerabilidades associadas ao contexto do bem-estar alimentar dado a prática de dietas, as quais não foram contempladas nas dimensões dos dois modelos de FWB presentes na literatura, quais sejam: o desenvolvido por Block et al (2011) e o desenvolvido por Bublitz et al (2012).…”