Body image distortion: a study with adolescents

Body image perception was measured in 83 young gir ls using a visual size apparatus. Those sample was divided on the basis of their "per ceived weight", that is, those who thought they were under-weight; those who thought t hey were just the right weight; and those who thought of themselves as over-weight. Res ults howed that all subjects (except that group who perceived themselves as under-weight ) over-estimated their weight. Moreover, we verified a tendency to the over-estima tion in these groups, but this is more evident on the two groups that we far away of the " p rceived slimness". We concluded that over-estimation of body size can be seen as a index of dissatisfaction with the own body, but this dissatisfaction rises of the perceived wei ght rather than the actual weight.