Background/Purpose Body Size Perceptions (BSPs) are related to body composition (% BF) and weight loss behaviors (e.g. dieting). BSP differences between European American (EA) and African American (AA) women have been reported, yet few studies have observed BSPs following weight loss and regain. This study examined the influence of % BF and weight changes in BSPs in 116 overweight women aged 20-41 years (52 EAs, 64 AAs; BMI = 27-30 kg/m2).
Method %BF was assessed by DXA and BSPs by a valid and reliable set of female figure silhouette shapes arranged on an ordinal scale from 1 (very thin) to 9 (very heavy). Subjects were asked 6 BSP questions, and Body Size Dissatisfaction (BSD) was determined as the difference between the Current and Ideal BSP. DXA and BSPs were assessed before, after (participant's obtained a BMI < 25 kg/m2), and one year following weight loss. Statistical analysis included a 3 (time) by 2 (ethnicity) repeated measures ANOVA.
Analysis/Results AAs had significantly less BSD (p < 0.05) than EAs. There were significant differences in BSPs that resembled the ‘size of most females their age' (MFA) and the ‘ideal size chosen by their female friends' (IDLF), BSD, weight and % BF (p < 0.01) over time, but no significant time x ethnicity interactions. No significant age and socioeconomic differences were found.
Conclusions Both EAs and AAs showed similar changes in MFA, IDLF and BSD with weight loss and regain, but AAs were more satisfied with their body size than EAs.