23rd Annual Student Research Conference
Perception of Body Image in Female College Students
Kathryn E. Spooner
Prof. Liz Jorn, Dr. Alex J. Koch, and Dr. Jerry L. Mayhew , Faculty Mentors
The purpose of this study was to determine the perception of body image in college-aged females. The sample consisted of females (n=49, height= 64.8 inches 2.4, weight= 131.9 pounds 13.2, age=20 .2years 1.1) who completed a Body Cathexis Scale and a Body Composition/Silhouette Matching Test. A Wilcoxon Signed Rank test indicated they felt an acceptable size should be significantly lower (Z = 5.94, p<0.01) than their current size. Subjects also had a significant desire to be a smaller size (Z=3.79, p<.001) than their current size. Pearson Correlation showed a significant correlation between BMI and the subjects perceived size (r = 0.72, p<.01). There was a negative correlation between the subjects height and overall satisfaction with body image (r = -0.37, p<.01) which indicates that shorter females were less satisfied with their current size. Therefore, college females could benefit from programming which emphasizes healthy body image.
Keywords: Body Cathexis Scale, Body Image, BMI, Body Composition, Silhouette Matching Test, Female
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Health Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 4-15
Location: SUB-GEO
Time: 4:15