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Relating body mass index to figural stimuli: population-based normative data for Caucasians

International Journal of Obesity volume 25, pages 1517–1524 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To establish body mass index (BMI) norms for standard figural stimuli using a large Caucasian population-based sample. In addition, we sought to determine the effectiveness of the figural stimuli to identify individuals as obese or thin.

DESIGN: All Caucasian twins born in Virginia between 1915 and 1971 were identified by public birth record. In addition, 3347 individual twins responded to a letter published in the newsletter of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). All adult twins (aged 18 and over) from both of these sources and their family members were mailed a 16 page ‘Health and Lifestyle’ questionnaire.

SUBJECTS: BMI and silhouette data were available on 16 728 females and 11 366 males ranging in age from 18–100.

MEASUREMENTS: Self-report information on height-weight, current body size, desired body size and a discrepancy score using standard figural stimuli.

RESULTS: Gender- and age-specific norms are presented linking BMI to each of the figural stimuli. Additional norms for desired body size and discrepancy scores are also presented. Receiver operating curves (ROC) indicate that the figural stimuli are effective in classifying individuals as obese or thin.

CONCLUSIONS: With the establishment of these norms, the silhouettes used in standard body image assessment can now be linked to BMI. Differences were observed between women and men in terms of desired body size and discrepancy scores, with women preferring smaller sizes. The figural stimuli are a robust technique for classifying individuals as obese or thin.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants: GM-30250; AG-04954; AA-06781; MH-40828, HL-48148; and K01-MH01553

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA

    CM Bulik

  2. Department of Psychology, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia

    TD Wade

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA

    AC Heath

  4. Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia

    NG Martin

  5. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    AJ Stunkard

  6. Department of Human Genetics, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA

    LJ Eaves

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  1. CM Bulik
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  5. AJ Stunkard
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Correspondence to CM Bulik.

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Bulik, C., Wade, T., Heath, A. et al. Relating body mass index to figural stimuli: population-based normative data for Caucasians. Int J Obes 25, 1517–1524 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801742

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