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Body Fat, Body Size & Obesity in Women
Body fat distribution is a reliable predictor
of the health risks of obesity. Body size overestimation, a type of body
image disturbance, is found in a subset of obese persons. Abdominal obesity
(AO) has been associated with various health complications whereas gluteal-femoral
obesity (GFO) appears to be less hazardous.
Weight Loss Study Aim
The current study examined body size estimation accuracy as a function
of body fat distribution.
Weight Loss Study Subjects
101 obese women (Mean age=39.4) joining a weight loss program.
Weight Loss Study Measurements
Subjects provided body size estimates using a live video distortion procedure
and were grouped into tertiles (AO; Mixed type obesity (MTO); GFO) on
the basis of their waist-to-hip ratios.
Weight Loss Study Results
GFO women had significantly lower body size estimates and felt thinner
than did AO or MTO women. In addition, more AO women (20.6% vs GFO: 8.8%)
overestimated their body size by more than 15% whereas more GFO women
(29.4% vs AO: 5.9%) underestimated their body size by more than 15%.
Weight Loss Study Conclusion
Body fat distribution appears to be a mediator in body size estimation
accuracy. These findings are discussed in terms of possible differences
in perceptual and societal experiences among the groups.
Source: International Journal of Obesity
(1996)
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