Background/Purpose Perceptions of body image (PBI) are believed to develop from the internalization of sociocultural norms and media exposure. Little is known, however, regarding the accuracy of PBI among persons with visual impairment (VI). Against this backdrop, the primary focus of this study was to quantify the relationship between PBI and percent body fat in adults with VI. A secondary aim was to determine if differences in PBI exist relative to the onset and severity of VI.
Method Twenty-nine adults with VI (age = 45.4 ± 11.1 years; BMI = 30.5 ± 6.6 kg•m-2) displaying a wide range of VI severity [peripheral/travel vision (n = 4); light perception (n = 12); no light perception (n = 13)] described their PBI through interviews. Responses were coded using a 4-point Likert scale (underweight, ideal, overweight, obese) and correlated with skinfold-based assessments of percent body fat.
Analysis/Results A positive correlation (r= .65, p < .001) was found between PBI and percent body fat. No difference was observed in PBI among persons with congenital versus non-congenital VI, F(1,27)= .19, p= .67; however, a significant difference was apparent relative to VI severity, F(2,26)= 3.89, p= .003, indicating adults without light perception exude less favorable PBI (2.38 ± 0.65) compared to adults with light perception (1.50 ± .90).
Conclusions Despite the inability to assimilate visual stimuli, a moderately strong association exists between PBI and body fatness in adults with VI. Future research should consider the mechanisms underlying the development of PBI in adults with VI.