Effects of body fat distribution on body size estimation accuracy among obese women.
Body fat distribution is a reliable predictor of the health risks of obesity. Abdominal obesity (AO) has been associated with various health complications whereas gluteal-femoral obesity (GFO) appears to be less hazardous. Body size overestimation, a type of body image disturbance, is found in a subset of obese persons.


OBJECTIVE
The current study examined body size estimation accuracy as a function of body fat distribution.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, retrospective review of clinical records.


METHODS
101 obese women (Mean age = 39.4) joining a weight loss program.


METHODS
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.


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%.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Rhodes
S K
SK
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-0742, USA.
O'Neil
P M
PM
D000005:Abdomen; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D001824:Body Constitution; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002081:Buttocks; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013848:Thigh