Development of a figural drawing scale for body shape assessment in Chinese

Abstract

In an earlier study, we adopted the Stunkard nine-figure scale to examine body shape dissatisfaction in Hong Kong adults. Due to ethnic specificity, a set of Chinese-based body shape silhouette would be more helpful in understanding the weight-related concepts of this population. The present study aimed to develop a set of self-rating figural scale for Chinese adults and compared the discrepancies between the actual BMI (measured) and the BMI represented in the chosen figure (perceived) of the Stunkard scale and the new scale. The new figure dimensions were based on published anthropometric database from China and Taiwan. Figure #5 represents the mean BMI (21.9 kg/m2) and figures #1 and 9 anchor respectively the 3rd and 97th percentile of the population BMI. In a preliminary study, male (n=53) with BMI ranging between 15.9–28.0, indicated strongly that the new scale better represents the body proportion and shape of Chinese male when presented with both scales in a random and blinded fashion (2 =18.132, P < 0.001). They were asked to select the figure that best match their current body shape. The BMI difference (actual minus perceived) was –2.47 with the Stunkard scale and 0.083 with the new scale (t=12.806, P < 0.001). Hence when provided with the Stunkard scale, subjects tended to pick a figure that is larger than actual. Further study is warranted to validate the newly developed figural drawing scale.