Body image matters to all of us. Influenced by bio-social factors as diverse as genetics, the mass media, family and peers, and even children’s toys, the internalisation of negative body ‘ideals’ can be detrimental to health for both men and women. Perceptual body image distortion (BID) is often characterised by altered self-perceptions and has been assessed in the past using a variety of scales. However, body shape measurement scales are severely limited by poor imagery. Body shape derives from a complex interaction between three attributes: adiposity, muscle mass and muscle tone. Therefore, there is a need to develop biometrically accurate, ecologically valid images with which to measure estimates of body size and shape. To do this, researchers in the School of Psychology will combine 3D body shape scanning technology with body composition measurements to generate the required high quality, CGI stimuli. Using these images, we will shed new light on the perceptual, psychological and social dimensions of body image, in health and disease.

We are looking for men and women over the age of 18 to be scanned in a 3D scanner, which creates a 3D representation of that person and a measure of their body size and shape. For your scan, we ask men to wear shorts and women to wear shorts and a crop-top. You will then stand on a bio-impedance plate which will take a measure of your body fat and muscle content. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Sophie Mohamed at sMohamed@lincoln.ac.uk or Nadia Maalin at nMaalin@lincoln.ac.uk