scholarly journals The effect of virtual avatar experience on body image discrepancy, body satisfaction and weight regulation intention

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juyeon Park
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Body Satisfaction ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Female Group ◽  
Weight Regulation ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Body Image Discrepancy ◽  
Virtual Avatar

This experimental study aimed to investigate the effect of having a virtual avatar experience on health outcomes in the context of body image and weight regulation. Ninety-three U.S. non-clinical participants (51 men and 42 women) were recruited, who were 18 years and older and had no history of chronic health problems or mental illnesses. Each experiment consisted of the three data collection phases, including the pre-experiment survey, an experience session of a virtual self-avatar, and the post-experiment survey. For the development of the virtual avatar protocol, this study employed 3D body scanning to create a participant’s virtual body model based on accurate anthropometric data, to simulate a virtual avatar closely matched with the participant’s actual physique. Overall, the data indicated an increase in perceived body image discrepancy and a decrease in body satisfaction after participating in a virtual avatar session, and those who showed higher body dissatisfaction exhibited a stronger intention regulated for weight control. Specifically in gender, the statistical results were generally intensified in the female group, but the male group showed a stronger intention to be involved in exercising after virtual avatar experience. The insights gained from this study suggested future directions for research and program development, and urged that practical applications of the virtual avatar approach must be implemented with caution when it uses clinical samples, because its risk-benefit assessment has not been sufficiently investigated yet.

scholarly journals Differential Child Body Perception in Children Ages 7–12 and Parents in Relation to Exercise and Eating Behaviors

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1304-1304
Author(s):  
Molly Ginsburg ◽  
Katelynn Sasaki ◽  
Mee Young Hong
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Body Type ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Ideal Body ◽  
Eating Pace ◽  
Body Image Discrepancy

Abstract Objectives Individuals with distorted perceptions of body image may be at an increased risk of developing eating disorders and mental illnesses. Many studies have observed impaired body image perceptions in adolescents and adults over the age of twelve. However, there are few studies that have examined this in young children. Furthermore, few studies that examine body image differences between parents and children exist. The purpose of this study was to investigate differential child body perceptions in children ages 7–12 and parents in relation to exercise and eating behaviors. Methods In a cross-sectional study, two separate questionnaires were designed; one for parents (n = 145) and the other for their paired children (n = 145). Questionnaires included anthropometric, exercise and eating behavior, and somatotype questions to assess perceived current and perceived ideal body type. Results Child responses of child's current body type were significantly greater than parent responses of child's current body type (P = 0.022). Child responses of child's ideal body type were significantly lesser than parent responses of child's ideal body type (P = 0.001). Child-reported child body type discrepancy (current body type – ideal body type) was significantly greater (0.414 ± 0.902) than parent-reported child body type discrepancy (−0.014 ± 0.717) (P = 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between body image discrepancy and reports of faster eating pace (coefficient = 0.237, P = 0.004) and a significant negative correlation between body image discrepancy and family physical activity (coefficient = –0.183, P = 0.017). Conclusions Significant discrepancies between perceived current and ideal body type were observed in children ages 7–12. Faster eating pace and family physical activity may be contributing factors to body type discrepancy among children ages 7–12, though more research is needed to identify and examine other potential factors such as social media usage and perceptions of physical activity. This research indicates a need for increased education aimed at forming and maintaining healthy body image perceptions among young children ages 7–12. Funding Sources None.

scholarly journals Teasing and weight-control behaviors in adolescent girls

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 431-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina B. Leme ◽  
Sonia Tucunduva Philippi
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Body Satisfaction ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Weight Control Behaviors ◽  
Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors ◽  
Unhealthy Weight Control ◽  
Unhealthy Weight

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between weight teasing, body satisfaction and weight control behaviors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on adaptation and validity research of a North American questionnaire for adolescent girls about physical activity, nutrition, body image, perceptions, and behaviors. The variables used to conduct the study were weight control behaviors, body satisfaction and presence of teasing by family members. Descriptive analyses were carried out by chi-square test, being significant p<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 159 adolescent girls, with 16.2±1.3 years old were enrolled in this study. Of the total, 60.1% reported that family members did not tease them. The teasing was associated with weight dissatisfaction (p<0.001), body shape (p=0.006), belly (p=0.001), waist (p=0.001), face (p=0.009), arms (p=0.014) and shoulders (p=0.001). As a consequence, there was association with unhealthy weight control behaviors (p<0.001), vomiting (p=0,011), diet (p=0.002) and use of laxatives (p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: The teasing about body image by family members was associated with risk for unhealthy weight control behaviors in female adolescents.

scholarly journals Association Between Food Choices Motivators and Physical Activity in Body Image (dis)Satisfaction in Portuguese Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Simões Dias ◽  
Marlene Lages ◽  
Roberta Frontini ◽  
Luís Luís ◽  
Maria dos Anjos Dixe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Food Choice ◽  
Body Satisfaction ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Body Shape ◽  
Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Image Perception ◽  
Body Image Perception

Concerns about weight and body image are common among adolescents since they are particularly vulnerable to body-image dissatisfaction due to the normal physiological, social, and psychological changes they are going through. This study aims to analyse the relationship between food choice motivations and physical activity in body-image perception among adolescents. Twelve to sixteen years old adolescents were recruited from three school districts. The Portuguese version of the Food Choices Questionnaire (FCQ) was used to assess food choice motivators, and the Quantification de l'Activité Physique en Altitude Chez les Enfants was used to assess physical activity and to calculate daily energy expenditure (DEE). Body image perception was measured using Collins' sequence of seven silhouettes. Body image (dis)satisfaction was estimated by the present body shape minus the desired body shape. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to compare groups, and the post-hoc Bonferroni test was used to compare target groups. A multinominal logistic regression was performed to analyse the association between gender, age, hours of sport's competition, FCQ, and body dissatisfaction. All analyses were performed in IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0. The sample comprised 286 adolescents (51.4% females). Means of FCQ categories varied between 0.33 and 0.97 (range: −2 to 2). Regarding the categories of FCQ, statistically significant differences were found in the category of body satisfaction and weight control among the three groups (p = 0.004). A preventive effect was found of choosing food regarding body satisfaction and weight control, on body-image dissatisfaction.

scholarly journals How virtual avatar experience interplays with self-concepts: the use of anthropometric 3D body models in the visual stimulation process

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juyeon Park ◽  
Jennifer Paff Ogle
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Visual Stimulation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Body Perception ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Novel Applications ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Virtual Avatar

AbstractWe explored how viewing one’s anthropometric virtual avatar would affect the viewer’s self-body perception through the comparative evaluation of self-concepts—self-esteem and self-compassion, within the framework of allocentric lock theory. We recruited 18 female adults, aged 18–21, who identified themselves to have some level of body image concerns, and who had had no clinical treatment for their body image. Participants were randomly assigned either to the experimental or control group. The experimental group participated in both body positivity program and virtual avatar program, whereas the control group attended the body positivity program, only. The results affirmed that the body positivity program served as a psychological buffer prior to the virtual avatar stimulus. After the virtual avatar experience, the participants demonstrated self-acceptance by lowering their expectation on how they should look like. The findings from exit interviews enriched the quantitative results. This study verified the mechanism of the altered processing of the stored bodily memory by the egocentric sensory input of virtual avatars, and offered practical potential of the study outcomes to be applied in various emerging fields where novel applications of virtual 3D technology are sought, such as fashion e-commerce.

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