Scheduled for Measurement Free Communications, Saturday, April 3, 2004, 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM, Convention Center: 208


Anthropometric Value Associated With Self-Reported Body Image Using a New Visual Rating Tool

Patricia Pierce, William Ryan and Jennifer Sanftner, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA

It is becoming increasingly evident that many men as well as women suffer from body image disturbances. Men in particular are concerned about muscularity and leanness. Muscle dysmorphia (MD) is characterized by a preoccupation with a perceived lack of muscularity and excess body fatness (Olivardia, 2001), which may lead to a disturbed social, academic, or occupational function. Although the prevalence of MD is unknown, it is thought to be more common in men than women. A new visual rating tool (VRT) was developed to evaluate body image in males. The VRT consists of 25 male body figures arranged in a 5 by 5 matrix to depict incremental increases in body fatness and muscularity along with a series of questions about perceived body image. Previously we have reported on the validity and reliability of the VRT. The purpose of this study is to present anthropometric values associated with the male body figure selected in response to the question “Which figure do you think you look like?”. Seventy-eight undergraduate male college students were recruited and answered a series of questions about their body image by selecting a corresponding body figure from the VRT. Anthropometric measures including height, weight, waist and hip girth, and skinfolds were then assessed. Results of the anthropometric data for subjects are grouped into their self-reported perceived body image categories by body fatness columns in the figure matrix. The figures in column 1 represent the leanest figures and the figures in column 5 represent the fattest figures. Sample size for columns 1 through 5 was 22, 33, 19, 3, and 1, respectively. Since only one subject reported a figure in column 5 these data were not included. Weight (lbs.) (mean±SD) for columns 1 through 4 was 167.4±22.3, 189.0±36.9, 247.7±43.2, and 301.0±13.9, respectively. Body mass index (kg/m2) (mean±SD) for columns 1 through 4 was 24.3±2.3, 27.8±4.8, 33.4±4.7, and 38.4±2.4, respectively. Body fat percent (mean±SD) for columns 1 through 4 was 8.3±2.0, 13.9±4.7, 19.9±4.7, and 27.7±1.3, respectively. Waist to hip ratio (mean±SD) for columns 1 through 4 was 0.81±0.003, 0.84±0.004, 0.87±0.001, and 0.91±0.007, respectively. Based on preliminary descriptive data it appears that the columns of figures represent clear differences in anthropometric values, which lends to further credibility and usability of the VRT. Data on additional subjects representing a broader range of body types are currently being collected and analyzed.
Keyword(s): exercise/fitness, measurement/evaluation, research

Back to the 2004 AAHPERD National Convention and Exposition