The use of a 3D Avatar to determine the association between actual and perceived body mass index

Mills, Claire ORCID: 0000-0003-4156-4593 and Cooling, Kate (2020) The use of a 3D Avatar to determine the association between actual and perceived body mass index. Advances in Obesity, Weight Management and Control, 10 (1). pp. 1-2. doi:10.15406/aowmc.2020.10.00296 (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: Literature surrounding body image, body composition and Body Mass Index (BMI) have shown that when participant use visual impressions, they can often lead to a false sense of weight status. Therefore, the main objectives of this investigation was to determine participants BMI and to establish the correlation between actual and perceived BMI. Method: n = 32 female participants ( ± s; body mass = 70.1 ± 13.6 kg, stretched stature = 172.4 ± 8.1 cm) were recruited. A computer generated (Unity Player) 3D Avatar rotated 3600 and permitted a visual slide from an underweight to average to obese continuum. Stretched stature (m) and body mass (kg) was taken and values used to calculate BMI (kg/m2). P value was set at (P<0.001) and a Paired t-Test was used to test for the difference and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient was used to test for the strength of the association between the actual and perceived BMI. Results: Perceived BMI ranged from 16.5 – 32.5 ( 23.5± 4.1), whereas the actual BMI ranged from 17.7 – 31.3 ( 24.3± 3.7). A Paired t-test and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient found values ranged from -5.3 and 8.6 ( - 0.2± 2.5) and a value of t = 0.81 and r = 0.68 suggesting a significant difference between actual and perceived BMI (P < 0.001). Discussion: This investigation reports that perceived BMI was higher than the participants actual BMI and that the use of visual impressions led to a false sense of weight status. Recommendations: Further research is necessary to investigate the reasons behind these perceived versus actual differences and the creation of a 3D Avatar for male participants and younger populations would be beneficial.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	3D avatar; Perception; Body mass index; Weight status
Related URLs:	Publisher
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HM Sociology Q Science > QM Human anatomy Q Science > QP Physiology Q Science > QP Physiology > QP301.H75 Physiology. Sport
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Research Priority Areas:	Health, Life Sciences, Sport and Wellbeing
Depositing User:	Claire Mills
Date Deposited:	29 Jan 2020 15:38
Last Modified:	31 Aug 2023 09:07
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/7813

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