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Benign gynaecological conditions (BCGs) and body image-related concerns are commonly experienced by reproductive-aged female-identified individuals. Qualitative evidence from cancer populations identifies a link between diseases of the sexual organs and body image distress encompassing appearance, sensory and functional aspects. Most BCGs and the impacts on body image have been studied separately. However, commonalities exist between these conditions including chronicity, diagnostic delays, and menstrual-related social stigma. This systematic scoping review and meta-synthesis aimed to compare and contrast the experience of body image in the benign conditions of endometriosis, polycystic ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, and Allied and Complementary Medicine) were searched in February 2020 and relevant articles were examined to identify papers that qualitatively explored the relationship between body image and BCGs. Meta-synthesis was used to analyse the 17 papers that met the inclusion criteria. Six main themes evolved from this iterative analysis: loss of control; regained control; silence – menstrual concealment; cultural differences; feeling abnormal, and functional impairment. Body image concerns were widespread although impacts on individual's lives were dependent on the unique symptom profile of each disease which interacted with socio-cultural factors, daily functioning, and feminine identity. Body image concerns were a common, but hidden, experience rarely screened in routine clinical settings despite causing significant distress. The chronicity and severity of individuals unique symptom profile often determined the intensity and type of body image concerns individuals described. Across conditions, body image concerns were often left untreated, were concealed, and were associated with reduced quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of synthesizing multiple images into a seamless panoramic image is referred to as remote sensing image stitching. Existing studies focus less on the influence of topography on the appearance and texture of images and the perturbation of image spectra by topographic changes. This paper presents a remote sensing image stitching method that considers the impact of topography and geomorphology. First, the feature matching was optimized using the Euclidean distance similarity of texture features and the nearest neighbor distance ratio of feature points in remote sensing images as constraints. Then, the Delaunay triangle mesh of feature points in the image overlapping region was constructed, the geometric features of Delaunay triangles were used to optimize the triangle matching and reduce the matching redundancy, and the affine transformation matrix was solved based on the comprehensive consideration of the geometric features of Delaunay triangles and the texture features of the remote sensing images. Finally, the weighted fusion algorithm was applied to stitch and fuse the images. Three image datasets were selected for the experiments, one in which there were large terrain undulations in the imaging regions, one in which the main body of the imaging regions was water, and one in which the overall terrain of the imaging regions had relatively gentle slopes but obscuring features were also present. The results showed that the average correct rates of method feature matching were 89.78%, 94.99%, and 96.17%, which were the best for each algorithm, and the average feature matching times were 4.13, 8.27 and 7.19 s. These times are much lower than those obtained with the APAP and AANAP algorithms and basically the same as those achieved with the SPHP and SURF algorithms. In terms of visual effect, the AG, D Tenengrad , and D Laplacian indices of the proposed method were all significantly improved compared to the APAP, SPHP, AANAP, and SURF algorithms, the advantages were most obvious when dealing with datasets with large topographic relief in the imaging regions, with the maximum improvement of the AG, D Tenengrad , and D Laplacian indices were 85.61%, 95.68%, and 93.12%, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the proposed method is more suitable for remote sensing image stitching and fusion of different topographic and geomorphological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the relationship between trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) and appearance perception in a Lebanese university sample (N = 201). Two indicators of appearance perception, body image dissatisfaction (BID) and physical attractiveness (PAT), were investigated in relation to trait EI and depression. Global trait EI and the well-being and self-control factors negatively correlated with BID, while global trait EI and all four factors positively correlated with PAT. In addition, the well-being trait EI factor was a significant predictor of BID and PAT (marginal) over BMI, emotion regulation, and self-worth. These variables jointly predicted 38% of the variance in BID and 41% of the variance in PAT. Moderation analyses showed that global trait EI moderated the relationship between the appearance perception indicators and depressive symptomatology. The role of trait EI in attenuating the psychological impact associated with a negative appearance perception is discussed in relation to its clinical utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with a significant cognitive and motor developmental delay (SDD) are vulnerable for the development of (future) behavioral and mental health problems. This paper aims to assess the social-emotional functioning of these children, both globally and in various domains. Semi-structured interviews with one or more primary caregiver(s) of 45 children were conducted and analyzed on 13 domains of social-emotional functioning, according to the Scale for Emotional Development - Revised (SED-R). The SED-R scoring system was slightly adapted in the current study in order to elucidate more subtle differences between children. A general delayed social-emotional development was found, with children functioning within different phases across domains and certain domains generally showing higher or lower scores. To capture the emotional needs of children with SDD, a more disaggregated scoring system seems valuable so that both the global level and the level per domain can be taken in consideration in designing interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The literature shows how gender mandates contribute to differences in exposure and vulnerability to certain health risk factors. This paper presents the results of a study developed in the south of Spain, where research aimed at understanding men from a gender perspective is still limited. Objective: The aim of this paper is to explore the lay perceptions and meanings ascribed to the idea of masculinity, identifying ways in which gender displays are related to health. Design: The study is based on a mixed-methods data collection strategy typical of qualitative research. We performed a qualitative content analysis focused on manifest and latent content. Results: Our analysis showed that the relationship between masculinity and health was mainly defined with regard to behavioural explanations with an evident performative meaning. With regard to issues such as driving, the use of recreational drugs, aggressive behaviour, sexuality, and body image, important connections were established between manhood acts and health outcomes. Different ways of understanding and performing the male identity also emerged from the results. The findings revealed the implications of these aspects in the processes of change in the identity codes of men and women. Conclusions: The study provides insights into how the category 'man' is highly dependent on collective practices and performative acts. Consideration of how males perform manhood acts might be required in guidance on the development of programmes and policies aimed at addressing gender inequalities in health in a particular local context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Harun Farocki's lifelong study of the mute language of manual expressions, the human hand is explored not only as a versatile tool, but as a repository of social memory, a topos in the genealogy of the moving image, and a critical agent in the theory and practice of filmmaking itself. While cinema distinguished itself from previous artistic media through its capacity to salvage and store everyday gestures for later scrutiny, accruing a Bilderschatz for future anthropological and archaeological research, it was also integral to an ongoing process that spurred the progressive withdrawal of the human hand from the manufacturing of images. By adopting a double-pronged approach that considers the programming of bodies and images as integrally aligned, the article traces the gradual demise of craftsmanship and the increasing automation of imaging and perception as engaged across a wide range of Farocki's essay films, found-footage compilations and observational documentaries. Taken together, this body of work at once proffers an encyclopedia of gesturing hands, a form of chiro-praxis in its own right, and a search for alternative or forgotten modes of manual communication and collective imagination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim is to identify facilitators and barriers for physical activity (PA) experienced by morbidly obese adults in the Western world. Inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle have become a major challenge for health and well-being, particularly among persons with morbid obesity. Lifestyle changes may lead to long-term changes in activity level, if facilitators and barriers are approached in a holistic way by professionals. To develop lifestyle interventions, the perspective and experiences of this group of patients are essential for success. The methodology of the systematic review followed the seven-step procedure of the Joanna Briggs Institute and was published in a protocol. Six databases were searched using keywords and index terms. Manual searches were performed in reference lists and in cited citations up until March 2015. The selected studies underwent quality appraisal in the Joanna Briggs-Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument. Data from primary studies were extracted and were subjected to a hermeneutic text interpretation and a data-driven coding in a five-step procedure focusing on meaning and constant targeted comparison through which they were categorized and subjected into a meta-synthesis. Eight papers were included for the systematic review, representing the experiences of PA among 212 participants. One main theme developed from the meta-data analysis: "Identity" with the three subthemes: "considering weight," "being able to," and "belonging with others." The theme and subthemes were merged into a meta-synthesis: "Homecoming: a change in identity." The experiences of either suffering or well-being during PA affected the identity of adults with morbid obesity either by challenging or motivating them. A change in identity may be needed to feel a sense of "homecoming" when active. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-description research on athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) is under investigated. The specific aims in this paper are (a) to identify the differences in physical self-concept and body image by Unified Sports experiences, and (b) to investigate predictors of physical self-concept. Participants included 89 Special Olympics athletes who had Unified Sports experiences (USE, n = 43) and those without USE (n = 46). Demographic, anthropometric, self-description data were collected during the questionnaire interview and physical examination. Analyses included descriptive and regression modeling to determine differences in the psychological attributes by USE and best subsets of predictors of each physical self-concept construct. The findings suggest that the participation of USE facilitated greater sport competence and there is no single predictor across the six physical self-concept constructs. The findings provide evidence that sports participation may have positive impacts on physical self-concept toward athletes with ID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pornography is not homogenous. There is a paucity of research that offers guidance to young adults and adult stakeholders interested in navigating the available range of pornography to find materials that support healthy sexual development for young adults. Drawing on the expertise of a Delphi Panel of experts from a range of relevant areas this article offers six criteria for assessing whether pornography can support healthy sexual development: includes a variety of sexual practices; includes a variety of body types, genders and races; shows negotiation of consent on screen; is known to be ethically produced; focuses on pleasure for all participants; shows safe sex. The article identifies four pornographic websites that may meet these criteria: Sex School, Make Love Not Porn, PinkLabel.TV and Lust Cinema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MR thermometry (MRT) enables noninvasive temperature monitoring during hyperthermia treatments. MRT is already clinically applied for hyperthermia treatments in the abdomen and extremities, and devices for the head are under development. In order to optimally exploit MRT in all anatomical regions, the best sequence setup and post-processing must be selected, and the accuracy needs to be demonstrated. MRT performance of the traditionally used double-echo gradient-echo sequence (DE-GRE, 2 echoes, 2D) was compared to multi-echo sequences: a 2D fast gradient-echo (ME-FGRE, 11 echoes) and a 3D fast gradient-echo sequence (3D-ME-FGRE, 11 echoes). The different methods were assessed on a 1.5 T MR scanner (GE Healthcare) using a phantom cooling down from 59 °C to 34 °C and unheated brains of 10 volunteers. In-plane motion of volunteers was compensated by rigid body image registration. For the ME sequences, the off-resonance frequency was calculated using a multi-peak fitting tool. To correct for B0 drift, the internal body fat was selected automatically using water/fat density maps. The accuracy of the best performing 3D-ME-FGRE sequence was 0.20 °C in phantom (in the clinical temperature range) and 0.75 °C in volunteers, compared to DE-GRE values of 0.37 °C and 1.96 °C, respectively. For hyperthermia applications, where accuracy is more important than resolution or scan-time, the 3D-ME-FGRE sequence is deemed the most promising candidate. Beyond its convincing MRT performance, the ME nature enables automatic selection of internal body fat for B0 drift correction, an important feature for clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high attrition rate in medical students has exacerbated the physician shortage in China. However, few studies have explored the risk factors of dropout intention in medical postgraduates. This study compared the prevalence of dropout intention and mental distress between medical and non-medical postgraduates in China and investigated risk factors for dropout intention. This study also explored the impact of medical postgraduates' perception of the Chinese healthcare environment on their mental status and dropout intention. This cross-sectional study was conducted using online questionnaires from October 2020 to April 2021. Convenience sampling was used to recruit postgraduates in different majors. Outcomes included dropout intention and potential risk factors, including mental distress, quality of life, and fatigue. Medical postgraduates were additionally assessed for healthcare environment satisfaction, burnout, career choice regret, and experiences of workplace violence. A logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate the association between dissatisfaction, mental distress, and turnover intention. A total of 740 medical and 670 non-medical postgraduates participated in the survey. The rates of depression symptoms (33.8% vs. 39.0%, p < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (22.2% vs. 32.4%, p < 0.001), and somatic symptoms (34.7% vs. 42.4%, p = 0.004) were lower in medical postgraduates, while more medical postgraduates (58.4% vs. 48.4%, p < 0.001) reported dropout intention. Dissatisfaction with the healthcare environment (odds ratio [OR]: 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–2.34, p = 0.005), career choice regret (OR: 6.23; 95% CI: 4.42–8.78, p < 0.001), and high perceived stress (OR: 2.74; 95%CI: 1.90–3.94, p < 0.001) remained independently associated with turnover intention. Mental distress is common among postgraduates, calling for timely interventions. Medical postgraduates reported higher turnover intention. Healthcare environment perception also affected the mental health and dropout intentions of medical students. A decent future income, reduced workload, shorter duration medical training, and better doctor-patient relationships are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the experiences of people living with open surgical wounds. These wounds are common and predominantly affect young and actively working people. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the meaning of living with open surgical wounds. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted. We collected data using two individual interviews with each of ten participants (aged between 18–73 years) who had open surgical wounds. Our analytical approach was based on qualitative content analysis. Methods are reported using COREQ guidelines. We found that the meaning of living with open surgical wounds is shaped by five subthemes: "enduring healing", "life disruption", "adapting to a new reality", "striving for healing" and "returning to normal life;" all under an overarching theme of "negotiating a new normality". Participants' well-being and everyday living are greatly impacted by open surgical wounds. Findings from this study emphasize that open surgical wounds are a long-term condition with a typical "chronicity" trajectory; this brings a new perspective to previous findings of studies on living with complex wounds. This study has also highlighted areas for further research, related to improving individuals' experience of living with open surgical wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibromyalgia is a contested illness with unknown aetiology and poorly understood development. The present aim is to explore the pre-diagnostic illness trajectory narrated by individuals recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM). Individual interviews about the course of the illness were conducted with seven women and three men (age from early 20s to 50s) who had recently been diagnosed with FM. A narrative analysis of what the interviewees told and how the stories were narrated was conducted. The findings are expressed by three storylines. "Strenuous life and alerted body preluding illness" displays a difficult, unsupported life and bodily sensitivity to stimuli. "Recurrent pains unfolding to become a lasting and complex illness" describes individuals pushing themselves to meet social obligations until they come to a full stop. "Diagnosed but still uncertain presence and future" portrays satisfaction with finally being diagnosed with FM and being supported by others, but still there are no solutions as to do about it. The three storylines portray a long, winding trajectory of suffering starting before the onset of illness, and unfolding illness gradually becoming persistent and overwhelming. Finally, a diagnosis of FM is arrived at, but how the situation will evolve is uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-binary and genderqueer (NBGQ) individuals do not identify with a binary gender identity. Some but not all NBGQ individuals identify as transgender, and it is currently unclear on which aspects of mental and sexual well-being NBGQ and binary transgender individuals may differ. To compare NBGQ, binary transgender and cisgender individuals on variables related to mental well-being, sexual well-being, and sexual self-concept discrepancies. We conducted an online questionnaire study in 125 transgender men, 72 transgender women, 78 NBGQ individuals, 98 cisgender men, and 107 cisgender women. For most variables, NBGQ individuals did not differ from binary transgender individuals. These two groups differed only on gender dysphoria and transgender specific body image worries, which were both lower in the NBGQ group. Compared to the cisgender group, NBGQ individuals scored higher on gender dysphoria, actual/ought sexual self-concept discrepancies, and actual/ideal sexual self-concept discrepancies, and lower on general life satisfaction and sexual esteem related to body perception. These results offer a first quantitative analysis of sexual well-being in NBGQ individuals, and highlight that – while both groups face unique challenges – NBGQ individuals encounter similar difficulties concerning mental and sexual well-being as binary transgender individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess changes in mental health, gut microbiota composition, and stress marker serum cortisol due to COVID-19 lockdown in asymptomatic individuals. Healthy adults participated in anthropometric measurements, blood and stool sample collection pre-lockdown and postlockdown (n=38, 63.2% females), lifestyle and psychological questionnaires were included in pre-lockdown measurement and lockdown survey (n=46, 67.4% females). Subjects reported significantly higher body dissatisfaction (p=0.007) and anxiety (p=0.002), and significantly lower positive affect (p=0.001) during lockdown compared with pre-lockdown. According to perceived stress, 51.6% of females and 20% of males experienced moderate to high stress. This was reflected in serum cortisol levels that significantly increased only in females (p=0.006) post-lockdown and correlated with perceived stress (p=0.037) and anxiety (p=0.031). In addition to psychological measures, changes in gut microbiota composition were observed. Gut microbial alpha diversity significantly decreased (p=0.033), whereas relative abundance of Proteobacteria significantly increased (p=0.043) post-lockdown. Depression during lockdown was moderately positively correlated with changes in Bacteroidetes abundance (p=0.015) and negatively with changes in Firmicutes abundance (p=0.008). Alistipes abundance post-lockdown was moderately positively correlated with anxiety (p=0.004) and negative affect (p=0.005) during lockdown. Despite a small sample size and not being able to perform objective measurements during lockdown, the results confirm the effect of lockdown on mental health and gut microbiota composition that could have a great impact on our health (ClinicalTrials identifier: NCT04347213). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The associations between compassion, self-compassion, and body image are well established. However, there is not yet a compassion-informed measure of body compassion that can be applied to any aspect of one's body. Items for The Body Compassion Questionnaire (BCQ) were derived from an earlier expressive writing study on self-compassion in body image. In study 1, the BCQ was completed by 728 men and women; with factor analysis, Rasch analysis, content and concurrent validation and reliability assessed. Study 2 compared BCQ scores with investigator-based ratings of spontaneous expressions of body compassion through writing in female undergraduates as well as an existing measure of body compassion. Study 3 examined the associations between BCQ scores, and the emotions expressed in a structured body image writing task. It also examined the relative predictive ability of the BCQ versus self-compassion in predicting eating pathology. A bi-factor structure was identified, with an overall BCQ score and three subscales: body kindness, common humanity, and motivated action. The BCQ and its subscales had good validity and reliability and Rasch analysis showed the item fit was invariant across a range of demographic characteristics. Spontaneous expressions of body compassion showed positive associations with body kindness. Overall BCQ scores and body kindness were also inversely related to negative emotions expressed in relation to body image. The BCQ was a better predictor of eating disorder symptoms than was self-compassion. The BCQ is the first measure of body compassion that is aligned with theoretical aspects of self-compassion, and which includes aspects of both the first and second psychologies of compassion. It also highlights its potential use as a process measure of body compassion in models of eating disorder symptomology, mood and wellbeing as well as an outcome measure for compassion-based interventions in eating disorders and body image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) experience body image concerns following treatment. Body Image distress (BID) is associated with psychological distress and diminished quality of life. A web-based self-compassion focused writing activity (My Changed Body – MyCB) reduces BID in BCSs, yet limited research exists on participant characteristics associated with such intervention adherence. Self-compassion-based meditations are also efficacious in reducing BID in non-BCS populations. This parallel, double-blind pilot randomised controlled trial aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of MyCB, with and without an additional meditation component, on BID and related psychological outcomes in BCSs. The trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (#ACTRN12619001693112). BCSs were randomly allocated to MyCB (n = 39), MyCB + Meditation (MyCB + M) (n = 17) or an expressive writing (EW) active control arm (n = 23). The primary outcome was BID. Secondary outcomes were body appreciation, affect (positive and negative), psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress) and self-compassion (state and trait). Assessments were completed online at baseline, post-intervention and 1-month. Adherence to the MyCB writing (45%) and meditation (50%) was modest, and acceptability was high for both MyCB and MyCB + M. Intent to treat linear mixed model analyses indicated: Post-intervention – state self-compassion and positive affect increased for MyCB compared to EW; 1-month: BID scores decreased across all conditions; trait self-compassion increased and anxiety decreased for MyCB + M compared to MyCB and EW. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy and potential clinical use of the MyCB brief web-based self-compassion intervention alone and with the addition of meditation, to increase self-compassion and psychological wellbeing in BCSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explored the relationship between body appreciation and discontinuing contraception due to concern about weight gain. Methods: A racially and ethnically diverse sample of women, from the United States, (n = 494) was recruited online. Binomial logistic regression was used for analysis. Results: Participants with higher body appreciation were less likely to stop taking birth control due to concern about weight gain (OR = 0.56, p =.002). These results suggest body appreciation may be a defense against concern about weight gain associated with contraceptive use. Conclusions: Interventions aimed at increasing women's body appreciation, body positivity, as well as decreasing weight stigma could improve contraception use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A dearth of research exists about the health behaviors of transgender young people (TYP). As we seek to learn more about transgender (trans) health, community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches are crucial for incorporating TYP's needs into the formulation of research questions and development of health behavior programing. Aim: Explore body image and exercise as priorities among TYP. Methods: Trans masculine young adults (N¼16) in a small city in the Midwest took part in semi-structured interviews about their health behaviors and priorities. Theme analysis was used to capture key patterns in participants' responses. Specific analysis steps included initial and more specific coding, analytical memos, organizational matrices and reports, and discussion about results with participants. Results: Participants identified exercise and body image as connected primary health concerns. They discussed these issues in terms of three themes: Body shape as motivation for exercise; Poor body image, stigma and fear as exercise barriers, and; Exercise or lack of, as destructive. Participants wanted to exercise to achieve a certain body shape, not for health or as stress relief. They cited gyms as unwelcoming, however. They also worried about discrimination and did not feel sufficiently comfortable with their bodies to exercise. When they could not exercise, they used harmful behaviors, like restricted eating, to achieve a specific male shape. Conclusions: Using participatory methods allowed us to understand the priorities of a group of Transmasculine young people. Our findings suggest that it is important to continue to explore TYP's body-related motivations for exercise and understand the balance between exercise as a positive health behavior, and a potentially harmful one, in light of TYP's complex body image concerns. Trans friendly gyms and gym policies could promote safe exercise and continued anti trans discrimination work and policy advocacy can promote the safety of TYP in all spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research applies the theory of visceral influences to investigate the effects of visceral cues in a weight loss advertising context. Three visceral cues are addressed: proximity of reward, visual prime, and vividness of reward. Predictions are derived and three experiments are designed to examine the effects of visceral cues in weight loss advertisements. Results indicate that visceral cues are associated with greater buying impulse, attitudes toward the product, attitudes toward the advertisement, and purchase intentions. A high level of involvement with body weight is shown to increase respondent susceptibility to the visceral cues. Implications for theory and research in advertising are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Morbid obesity is a progressive, chronic condition associated with failed attempts at change and repeated relapses. Aim: There seems to be little previous research into the understanding of the everyday life of morbidly obese adults. We wanted to gain more knowledge about characteristics of eating habits and body image as well as motivational forces for change. Methods: A qualitative approach was chosen in order to gain insight into how morbidly obese adults experience everyday life. Qualitative interviews are well suited to provide insight into themes from the interviewee's life story from the subjects' own perspectives. To gain insight into such processes, a narrative approach that allowed the informants to give voice to their ways of doing, thinking and feeling in daily life, was adopted. The informants comprised seven women and four men aged of 26-56 years, recruited from a population of obese individuals who had participated in a weight reduction course. A hermeneutic approach was used where the research question was the basis for a reflective interpretation. Results: The following meaning-units were identified: to be perceived as overweight; and to see oneself as overweight. Ingrained habits: the struggle between knowing and doing; acting without knowing; and eating is soothing. Conclusions: Seeing oneself as an obese person is a gradual process that implied experiencing oneself as different from significant others, such as (slim) siblings and friends. To experience a gap between knowing and doing concerning food habits in everyday life indicates that informants value they have a choice. This is an important insight to consider when framing interventions to support this vulnerable group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study sought to identify characteristics that may be associated with the misreporting of food energy intake (EI) in urban South African women. A total of 198 women (61 black, 76 of mixed ancestry, 61 white) completed a quantified food frequency questionnaire, from which daily energy and macronutrient intake were calculated. Body composition (body mass index [BMI], percentage of body fat), body image (Feel-Ideal Difference index and Body Shape questions) and socio-economic status (SES) (household density and asset index) were also measured. Food EI in relation to estimated basal metabolic rate ratio that was less than 1.05 represented under-reporting, whereas a ratio greater than 2.28 represented over-reporting. Results suggested that 26% of the participants under-reported, 64% adequately reported and 10% over-reported. Participants who under-reported had a higher BMI (p < 0.01) and higher percentage of body fat (p < 0.05) than those who adequately and over-reported. The majority of under-reporters were black (38%) versus 21% under-reporters of mixed ancestry and 20% white under-reporters (p < 0.01). Eighty-three per cent of black under-reporters were obese. On the other hand, a majority (63%) of overweight women of mixed ancestry and a majority (50%) of white normal-weight women under-reported their food EI. Under-reporters reported a lower intake of dietary fat (p < 0.01) and a higher intake of dietary protein (p < 0.01) than adequate or over-reporters. Food EI reporting was not influenced by SES or body image. In conclusion, results suggest that food EI reporting is influenced by body size, and may be ethnic-specific in South African women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response is presented to the article "Some Costs of American Corporate Capitalism," also published in this issue. The author considers body image and material life in terms of the arguments of the original article. The article argues that the consumer culture promotes and unhealthy and ultimately harmful set of values that become internalized.

This study investigated the relationships between self-rated attractiveness and self-reported sexual response changes (over the past decade) and current sexual satisfaction in 307 heterosexual, midlife women. Results indicated that regardless of the woman's specific age, she was more likely to consider herself more attractive when she was 10 years younger, and her self-perceived attractiveness did not significantly differ based on her menopausal status. The more a woman perceived herself as less attractive than before, the more likely she was to report a decline in sexual desire or frequency of sexual activity. The more she perceived herself as attractive, the more likely she was to experience an increase in sexual desire, orgasm, enjoyment, or frequency of sexual activity. There were no significant statistical relationships between a woman's perception of her own attractiveness as she aged and her current sexual satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research with adults has shown a preference for average-weight female figures with waist-to-hip ratios (WHR) of 0.7, and average weight male figures with waist-to-hip ratios of 0.9. This study investigated the development of preferences for WHR sizes as well as preferences for specific body weights. Five-hundred eleven children ranging in age from 6 to 17 were presented with drawings of 12 male and 12 female silhouettes varying in weight and WHR and asked to select one they thought looked the nicest or most attractive. The youngest children showed preferences for the underweight figures, changing to consistent preferences for the average weight figures in the teenage years. The developmental curves for waist-to-hip ratio preferences were linear, changing gradually over time to become more adult-like. Potential developmental models for the development of preferences for specific body shapes are considered in relation to these data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the characteristics of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users to determine their motivations for use, and to examine the patterns and correlates of AAS use, with particular attention to homo/bi-sexual men. A personal interview was conducted with 100 current AAS users in New South Wales, Australia using a structured questionnaire divided into ten separate sections: demographics; patterns of AAS use; reasons for AAS use; opinions and attitudes concerning AAS; training activity; sources of steroids; AAS information sources; effects of AAS; lifestyle issues including legal and illegal drug use; and deterrents to AAS use. This predominantly male sample (94%) included 27% homo/bi-sexual men. Homo/bi-sexual users reported a different pattern of AAS use from the heterosexual users. They started using at a later age and used smaller quantities less frequently. Homo/bi-sexual users were also more likely to identify as body image users and indicate that their motivation to use AAS on their first and most recent occasion was to improve appearance, although there were no significant differences between homo/bi-sexuals and heterosexuals in relationship to perceptions of body shape. The homo/bi-sexual men in this sample were also far more likely to have used a wide range of illicit drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recently reported finding that negative body image is associated with lower levels of sexual experience was replicated in a large, ethnically, diverse sample of undergraduates. Additional analyses failed to support a proposed spectatoring, or chronic self-focus, interpretation of this association (e.g., Faith & Schare, 1993). First, correlations between body image and a variety of dispositional self-focus measures were either nonsignificant or in a direction opposite to that assumed by the spectatoring hypothesis. Second, a composite of self-focus ratings on three trait adjectives shown to be associate with a narcissistic personality profile, flirtatiousness, seductive, and fashionable, explained most of the correlation between body image and sexual experience. These findings suggest body image-related sexual experience may have more to do with motivational mechanisms associated with self-valence (e.g., expectancy-mediated disengagement or avoidance) than with cognitive mechanisms associated with self-focus (e.g., chronic attentional distraction from arousal cues). Explanatory pitfalls in the dual attentional and evaluative meanings of Masters and Johnson's (1970) construct of spectatoring are discussed.

The content and valence of women's body image attitudes, general and enduring positive or negative feelings about the body, are studied with psychometric analyses of measures and contrasted groups. Data from two frequently used measures (Body Image Scale, Derogatis & Melisaratos, 1979; Body Satisfaction Scale, Berscheid, Waister & Bohrnstedt, 1973) provided an evaluation of the construct and the assessment of body image. Two studies are provided. The construct analyses suggest two contents for body attitude measures: a general factor of body, facial, and sexual (genital and breast) items, and a second factor assessing weight and/or its body correlates-the hips, thighs, and buttocks. Also, a method factor, a response style of negativity, may be important. Body image attitudes are correlated with some conceptually relevant criteria, such as interest in engaging in sexual activity; however, these relationships do not appear sufficiently strong to predict behavior, such as the occurrence or resolution of sexual dysfunction. Generalized body image disturbance as currently conceptualized and assessed may be difficult to document, particularly when item content and response styles are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the situated strategy used by dormitory residents to maintain their moral identities in two bathroom situations requiring nudity. The two bathrooms have no partitions between facilities and no privacy when more than one person is in either room. Those girls with similar bathroom arrangements at home reacted to the situation as routine and taken-for-granted, and with little or no self-consciousness, while those with no prior experience either at home or in another dormitory found the situation foreign and were self-conscious. One girl stated that bathroom exposure contradicted her notion of the feminine role, while another stated that a favorable body image enabled her to function adequately in what might have been an awkward situation.

The article offers information related to use of gender neutral pronouns (GNPs) with gender dysphoric individuals. It mentions that GNPs would shield gender nonconforming individuals from the indignity of having strangers assume their gender and allow these individuals to avoid declaring a gender. It further reports on the use of an honorific in a communication wherein there is a power differential between individuals.

In South Africa, the expanding epidemic of non-communicable diseases is partly fuelled by high levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour. Women especially are at high risk, and interventions promoting physical activity are urgently needed for girls in their adolescence, as this is the time when many girls adopt unhealthy lifestyles. This qualitative study aimed to identify and describe facilitating factors and barriers that are associated with physical activity among adolescent girls in rural, north-eastern South Africa and, based on these, to develop a model for promoting leisure-time physical activity within this population. The study was conducted in and around three secondary schools. Six focus group discussions were conducted with adolescent girls from the schools, and seven qualitative interviews were held with sports teachers and youth leaders. The data were subjected to thematic analysis. Seven thematic areas were identified, each of which was associated with the girls' self-reported levels of physical activity. The thematic areas are 1) poverty, 2) body image ideals, 3) gender, 4) parents and home life, 5) demographic factors, 6) perceived health effects of physical activity, and 7) human and infrastructural resources. More barriers to physical activity were reported than facilitating factors. Analysis of the barriers found in the different themes indicated potential remedial actions that could be taken, and these were synthesised into a model for promoting physical activity among South African adolescent girls in resource-poor environments. The model presents a series of action points, seen both from the 'supply-side' perspective (such as the provision of resources and training for the individuals, schools, and organisations which facilitate the activities) and from the 'demand-side' perspective (such as the development of empowering messages about body image for teenage girls, and encouraging more parental involvement). The development of physical activity interventions that incorporate this supply- and demand-side model would represent an additional tool for ongoing efforts aimed at tackling the expanding non-communicable disease epidemic in South Africa, and in other resource-constrained settings undergoing rapid health transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]