Body experience assessment in non-clinical male and female subjects.

INTRODUCTION

Body image is an important feature in the quality of life of clinical and non-clinical subjects. Therefore, the evaluation of different instruments for measuring body image is necessary. More and more attention is also given to the body image of males. This study addresses the body image of non-clinical males in comparison to females by using well-know questionnaires.

METHOD

Four widely used questionnaires are evaluated: The Body Attitude Test, The Eating Disorder Inventory, The Body Shape Questionnaire and the Body Attitude Questionnaire. Psychometric properties of these questionnaires are investigated in 427 males and 389 female subjects. Normative values for a Flemish population are provided.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

All questionnaires have good psychometric properties. To separate males from females all four questionnaires can be used. The four questionnaires are able to differentiate between individuals who are and who are not suffering from body image concerns.