Body-size Overestimation: A Review of the Phenomenon and Its Implications
Introduction
Body-size overestimation is a cognitive phenomenon that occurs when an individual perceives their body size to be larger than it actually is. This phenomenon has been found to be associated with a variety of psychological and physical health outcomes, and is of particular concern due to its association with eating disorders, body dissatisfaction, and obesity. This paper will review the current literature on body-size overestimation, its associated outcomes, and potential interventions to address it.
Definition and Prevalence
Body-size overestimation is defined as the perception of one’s body size to be larger than it actually is (Riva et al., 2020). It has been found to be a common phenomenon, with studies indicating that up to 80% of individuals overestimate their body size (Gualdi-Russo et al., 2021). Studies have also found that women tend to overestimate their body size more than men, with up to 94% of women overestimating their body size (Bahar et al., 2019).
Associated Outcomes
Studies have found body-size overestimation to be associated with a variety of psychological and physical health outcomes. In terms of psychological outcomes, body-size overestimation has been found to be associated with higher levels of body dissatisfaction and anxiety (Gualdi-Russo et al., 2021; Bahar et al., 2019). It has also been found to be associated with higher levels of disordered eating behaviors, such as binge eating, purging, and restrictive eating (Bahar et al., 2019; Gualdi-Russo et al., 2021). In terms of physical health outcomes, studies have found body-size overestimation to be associated with higher levels of obesity, particularly abdominal obesity (Gualdi-Russo et al., 2021).
Interventions
Given the association between body-size overestimation and a variety of health outcomes, it is important to consider interventions to address the phenomenon. One potential intervention is self-monitoring, in which individuals are taught to pay closer attention to their body size and to become more aware of how they perceive their body size (Riva et al., 2020). Additionally, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective in reducing body-size overestimation, as it encourages individuals to challenge negative thoughts about their body size (Bahar et al., 2019).
Conclusion
In conclusion, body-size overestimation is a cognitive phenomenon that is associated with a variety of psychological and physical health outcomes, such as body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behaviors, and obesity. Thus, it is important to consider interventions to address body-size overestimation, such as self-monitoring and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
References
Bahar, N., Bessarab, D., & Burrows, T. (2019). Body Size Overestimation and Related Factors among Young Australian Women. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16040868
Gualdi-Russo, E., Agostoni, C., Bellani, R., & Veggiotti, P. (2021). Body Size Perception and Its Association With Eating Disorders and Obesity in Young Italians. Nutrients, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020246
Riva, G., Conti, R., & Gualandi, S. (2020). Body-Size Perception: An Update. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00634