Body image: the dimension of size

In view of a dearth of clear data concerning phenomenal body size and the shortcomings of the assessment methods, the purpose of the present study was to apply a new kinaesthetically based Body Size Estimation method for investigating differences in size estimations of 10 body parts by men and women of different age groups, comparing them to estimations of a neutral object, and examining their interrelations and relations to attitudinal and personality variables. Two hundred and forty Israeli subjects, 80 (40 male, 40 female) in each of three age groups (4 to 6, 10 to 12, and 28 to 30 years) were administered estimations of body and object, figure drawing, and questionnaires in two individual sessions. Results showed overestimation of body size in all groups, decreasing regularly with age or U-shaped, few gender differences, differences from object estimations, a grouping into bodily and facial images, increasing unitariness, negative correlations with body cathexis and satisfaction, bodily sophistication, and the richness of the self concept and positive correlations with exercise, field dependence, and figure drawing distortions.