Body size estimation: testing a new mirror-based assessment method.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to compare a new ecologically valid method of body size estimation with an existing, commonly used method. METHOD: The new method uses a "mirror-sized" image and measures perception rather than memory of body size. Fifty-five healthy women participated in the study. RESULTS: Body size estimations with the new method were significantly larger than with the existing method (p <.001). This difference was specific to body size and was not seen for estimation of neutral images. DISCUSSION: The results of the study show that different body size estimations are made with the new more ecologically valid method compared with the existing method. This finding has important implications for research into the factors influencing the perception of body size.