Ideal / Aesthetic body types

The UCLA The UCLA Body Body

Matrices IIMatrices II David FrederickDavid Frederick

Anne PeplauAnne Peplau UCLA Department of UCLA Department of

PsychologyPsychology

Acknowledgements:Acknowledgements: Thanks to Jim Compton of SNSL Thanks to Jim Compton of SNSL Imagination for assistance creating the UCLA Body Imagination for assistance creating the UCLA Body Matrices ([email protected])Matrices ([email protected])

Contact:Contact: David Frederick at David Frederick at [email protected]@aol.com. . Available at the following website: dred.bol.ucla.eduAvailable at the following website: dred.bol.ucla.edu

Problems in Measuring Body Problems in Measuring Body SatisfactionSatisfaction

Women’s BodiesWomen’s Bodies Forms used to assess women’s body Forms used to assess women’s body

types confound body fat and breast types confound body fat and breast size, or only manipulate one of these size, or only manipulate one of these features.features.

Men’s BodiesMen’s Bodies Similarly, forms for men appear to Similarly, forms for men appear to

confound muscularity with body fat, or confound muscularity with body fat, or only manipulate one of these features.only manipulate one of these features.

Hand-Drawn ImagesHand-Drawn Images All existing forms utilize crude hand-All existing forms utilize crude hand-

drawn silhouettes of men and women.drawn silhouettes of men and women.

Examples of Popular Female Examples of Popular Female Reference FormsReference Forms

Examples of Popular Male Examples of Popular Male Reference FormsReference Forms

The UCLA Body MatricesThe UCLA Body Matrices

We introduce the UCLA Body Matrices as an We introduce the UCLA Body Matrices as an improvement over existing forms. These new matrices improvement over existing forms. These new matrices provide more levels of body fat for women and provide more levels of body fat for women and muscularity for men muscularity for men

The UCLA Matrix of Men systematically varies:The UCLA Matrix of Men systematically varies: 4 levels of body fat, from slender (10)* to heavy (40)4 levels of body fat, from slender (10)* to heavy (40) 7 levels of muscularity, from non-muscular (10) to 7 levels of muscularity, from non-muscular (10) to

very muscular (70)very muscular (70)

The UCLA Matrix of Women systematically varies:The UCLA Matrix of Women systematically varies: 4 levels of breast size, from small (10) to large (40)4 levels of breast size, from small (10) to large (40) 8 levels of body fat, from slender (10) to heavy (80)8 levels of body fat, from slender (10) to heavy (80)

*The numbers correspond to equally spaced intervals according to the software used, *The numbers correspond to equally spaced intervals according to the software used,

not objective measurements (e.g., not 10% body fat).not objective measurements (e.g., not 10% body fat).

Pick a Number vs. Scaled VersionsPick a Number vs. Scaled Versions Pick A Number Version:Pick A Number Version:

Each one of the images is numberedEach one of the images is numbered Participants are simply asked to indicate which Participants are simply asked to indicate which

image best represents their current body, the ideal image best represents their current body, the ideal body, the typical body, etc.body, the typical body, etc.

The advantage is this version is very simple for The advantage is this version is very simple for participantsparticipants

Scaled VersionScaled Version Participants indicate which image best represents Participants indicate which image best represents

their current body, etc., using a latitude-longitude their current body, etc., using a latitude-longitude system.system.

This is more complex for participants but allows This is more complex for participants but allows them to indicate intermediate values (e.g., they can them to indicate intermediate values (e.g., they can indicate that their breast size is between levels 30 indicate that their breast size is between levels 30 and 40).and 40).

*Matrices can be viewed at: *Matrices can be viewed at: http://dfred.bol.ucla.edu/UCLAbody.htmlhttp://dfred.bol.ucla.edu/UCLAbody.html

Present ResearchPresent Research

1. Do rating of one’s current body, ideal body, and 1. Do rating of one’s current body, ideal body, and the discrepancy between these ratings predict the discrepancy between these ratings predict measures of:measures of:

Body Mass (BMI)? Body Mass (BMI)? Breast Cup SizeBreast Cup Size Overall body satisfaction (Appearance Evaluation Scale; Overall body satisfaction (Appearance Evaluation Scale;

(Cash, 2000)?(Cash, 2000)? Drive for muscularity (McCreary & Sasse, 2000)?Drive for muscularity (McCreary & Sasse, 2000)? Breast size satisfaction (Forbes & Frederick, under review)Breast size satisfaction (Forbes & Frederick, under review)

2. Do people perceive a difference between their 2. Do people perceive a difference between their current and their ideal body? current and their ideal body?

3. Do people perceive a difference between the 3. Do people perceive a difference between the typical and most attractive body type of the other typical and most attractive body type of the other sex?sex?

4. Do the measures show high test-retest reliability?4. Do the measures show high test-retest reliability?

Study 1: Pick A Number VersionStudy 1: Pick A Number Version

Participants were 102 men and 255 Participants were 102 men and 255 women in a psychology class who women in a psychology class who participated in exchange for extra credit.participated in exchange for extra credit.

Mean Age = 18.94Mean Age = 18.94

26% White, 41% Asian, 14% Hispanic, 26% White, 41% Asian, 14% Hispanic, 19% Other.19% Other.

Validating the UCLA Body Validating the UCLA Body Matrices:Matrices:

Association to BMI and Breast SizeAssociation to BMI and Breast Size Linear Regressions predicting BMILinear Regressions predicting BMI

Men (Muscularity and Body fat to BMI): Men (Muscularity and Body fat to BMI):

Model RModel R = .74 = .74

Women (Breast Size and Body fat to BMI):Women (Breast Size and Body fat to BMI):


Linear Regressions predicting cup sizeLinear Regressions predicting cup size (Breast size and Body Fat self-reported cup (Breast size and Body Fat self-reported cup

size):size): Model RModel R = .76 = .76

Association of Matrix Choices to Association of Matrix Choices to Body ImageBody Image

Appearance Appearance EvaluationEvaluation

(Higher = Better)(Higher = Better)

WomenWomen

Current Body Current Body FatFat

Ideal Body FatIdeal Body Fat

Fat Fat DiscrepancyDiscrepancy

Current Breast Current Breast SizeSize

Ideal Breast Ideal Breast SizeSize

Breast Breast DiscrepancyDiscrepancy

-.36***-.36***

-.05-.05

-.38***-.38***

.02.02

-.03-.03

-.18**-.18**

MenMen




Current Current MuscularityMuscularity

Ideal Ideal MuscularityMuscularity

Muscle Muscle DiscrepancyDiscrepancy

-.37***-.37***

-.12-.12

.44***.44***

.43***.43***

.17.17

-.27**-.27**

* The discrepancies are absolute values. For example, Fat Discrepancy = [ABS (current – ideal body fat level.)]

Men and Women’s Ratings of Female Men and Women’s Ratings of Female Body FatBody Fat

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Current Ideal Typical Attractiveto Men

WomenMen

Women’s Ratings of Body Fat: Women perceived that their current body did not differ from the typical body, but they were heavier than their ideal.

Men’s Ratings of Body Fat: Men perceived that the most attractive body was thinner than the ideal body.

Men and Women’s Ratings of Female Men and Women’s Ratings of Female Breast SizeBreast Size

10

15

20

25

30

35

40


WomenMen

Women’s Ratings of Breast Size: Women did not perceive a difference between their current breast size and the ideal breast size, but did desire larger ideal breasts.

Men’s Ratings of Breast Size: Men indicated that the typical breast size was smaller than the ideal breast size.

Men and Women’s Ratings of Male Men and Women’s Ratings of Male Body FatBody Fat

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Current Ideal Typical Attractiveto Women

WomenMen

Men’s Ratings of Body Fat: Men perceived that they were slightly thinner than average, and slightly heavier than their ideal.

Women’s Ratings of Body Fat: Women did not perceive a difference between the typical and ideal level of body fat.

Men and Women’s Ratings of Male Men and Women’s Ratings of Male MuscularityMuscularity

10

15

20

25

30

35

40


WomenMen

Men’s Ratings of Muscularity: Men perceived that they were slightly more muscular than average, but were much less muscular than their ideal.

Women’s Ratings of Muscularity: Women indicated that the most attractive male body was much more muscular than the typical male body.

Study 2: Scaled VersionStudy 2: Scaled Version

Participants were 112 men and 122 Participants were 112 men and 122 women at local campus hangouts who women at local campus hangouts who participated in exchange for being participated in exchange for being entered in a lottery.entered in a lottery.

Mean Age = 22.88Mean Age = 22.88

40% White, 25% Asian, 12% Hispanic, 40% White, 25% Asian, 12% Hispanic, 23% Other.23% Other.

Validating the UCLA Body Validating the UCLA Body Matrices:Matrices:

Association to BMI and Breast SizeAssociation to BMI and Breast Size Linear Regressions predicting BMILinear Regressions predicting BMI

Men (Muscularity and Body fat to BMI): Men (Muscularity and Body fat to BMI):


Women (Breast Size and Body fat to BMI):Women (Breast Size and Body fat to BMI):


Linear Regressions predicting cup sizeLinear Regressions predicting cup size (Breast size and Body Fat self-reported cup (Breast size and Body Fat self-reported cup

size):size): Model RModel R = .76 = .76

Association of Matrix Choices to Association of Matrix Choices to Body ImageBody Image

Appearance Appearance EvaluationEvaluation

(Higher = Better)(Higher = Better)

Breast / Muscle Breast / Muscle DissatisfactionDissatisfaction(Higher = Worse)(Higher = Worse)

WomenWomen




Current Breast Current Breast SizeSize

Ideal Breast Ideal Breast SizeSize

Breast Breast DiscrepancyDiscrepancy

-.30***-.30***

-.07-.07

-.45***-.45***

-.13-.13

-.12-.12

-.19*-.19*

-.11-.11

-.24**-.24**

.09.09

-.42***-.42***

-.08-.08

.51***.51***

MenMen




Current Current MuscularityMuscularity

Ideal Ideal MuscularityMuscularity

Muscle Muscle DiscrepancyDiscrepancy

-.02-.02

-.04-.04

.00.00

.11.11

.17**.17**

.12.12

-.20*-.20*

-.29**-.29**

-.04-.04

.26**.26**

.42***.42***

.21*.21*

* The discrepancies are absolute values. For example, Fat Discrepancy = [ABS (current – ideal body fat level.)]

Men and Women’s Ratings of Female Men and Women’s Ratings of Female Body FatBody Fat

10

15

20

25

30

35

40


WomenMen

Women’s Ratings of Body Fat: Women did not perceive a difference between their body and the typical body, but were heavier than their ideal body.

Men’s Ratings of Body Fat: Men indicated that the most attractive body was thinner than the typical body.

Men and Women’s Ratings of Female Men and Women’s Ratings of Female Breast SizeBreast Size

10

15

20

25

30

35

40


WomenMen

Women’s Ratings of Breast Size: Women did not perceive a difference between their current body and the typical body, but desired larger breasts.

Men’s Ratings of Breast Size: Men indicated that the most attractive breast size was larger than the typical breast size.

Men and Women’s Ratings of Male Men and Women’s Ratings of Male Body FatBody Fat

10

15

20

25

30

35

40


WomenMen

Men’s Ratings of Body Fat: Men believed they were slightly thinner than average, but slightly heavier than their ideal.

Women’s Ratings of Body Fat: Women did not perceive a difference between the typical and most attractive body fat level.

Men and Women’s Ratings of Male Men and Women’s Ratings of Male MuscularityMuscularity

10

15

20

25

30

35

40


WomenMen

Men’s Ratings of Muscularity: Men perceived that they were slightly more muscular than average, but much less muscular than their ideal body.

Women’s Ratings of Muscularity: Women indicated that the most attractive body was more muscular than the typicial male body.

Summary of FindingsSummary of Findings

The results suggest that the matrices are The results suggest that the matrices are useful measures of body image and body useful measures of body image and body type preferences. Responses were:type preferences. Responses were:

Strongly related to BMI and self-Strongly related to BMI and self-reported breast cup-sizereported breast cup-size

Associated with global body Associated with global body satisfaction, and breast size/muscularity satisfaction, and breast size/muscularity satisfactionsatisfaction

Congruent with past research on body Congruent with past research on body type preferencestype preferences

Sports

Ideal / Aesthetic body types