Measuring Body Image’s Effects on Quality of Life

A new questionnaire, the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI), can effectively measure effects of body image on feelings about the self and life in general, according to Dr. Thomas F. Cash and Emily C. Fleming (Int J Eat Disord 2002;31:455). Dr. Cash is well known for his research on body image and for his workbook, The Body Image Workbook. An 8-Step Program for learning to Like Your Looks (New Harbinger Publications, 1997).

The authors report that even though many studies have emphasized the increasing prevalence of negative body image, discontent with one’s body doesn’t always lead to problems. For some, unhappiness with weight, height, hair or facial features may not lead to a negative body image, while for others the impact is much more serious. Although research confirms that body image can affect many aspects of psychosocial functioning, until recently there was no direct way to measure its effect upon quality of life.

Dr. Cash and colleagues developed the BIQLI by studying 116 college women at a large mid-Atlantic university. The mean age of the study group was 21.3 years, and 86% were single. The sample included 55% Whites, 33% African-Americans, 5% Asians, and 7% from other minorities. The average body mass index (BMI=k/m2) was 24.7, and ranged from 15.7 to 49.2. Dr. Cash and colleagues selected 3 subscales of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. To check the validity of the results, the women re-took the test 2 to 3 weeks later.

Results: More positive than negative

The assessment was consistent and stable over the 2- to 3-week period. Women in the study group reported more positive than negative consequences of their perceived body image. As expected, having a higher score was significantly associated with higher body satisfaction, less body shame, less preoccupation with or fear of becoming “fat,” and less over-concern with appearance. An additional analysis tested the hypothesis that women with higher BMIs would report a poorer body image quality of life, independent of their level of body satisfaction. More of the women reported a positive rather than a negative impact on body image.