Associate Professor Ginny Ramseyer Winter Introduces New Reference Guide for Body Image Measures

Associate Professor Ginny Ramseyer Winter and her co-editors published the "Handbook of Body Image-Related Measures," a manual for researchers and clinicians to better define body image constructs.

Published by Cambridge University Press, the handbook catalogues existing body-image related measures and details their purpose and recommended applications, providing a useful tool to improve research and clinical diagnostics.

"The Handbook of Body Image-Related Measures is a wonderful collection of over 130 scales of body image constructs," said Tracy Tylka, co-editor of the handbook and professor at The Ohio State University. "All information related to the scales, including their items, instructions, response scales, development, psychometric properties, terms of use, permissions, and contact information is included. The Handbook is a valuable resource for body image researchers and clinicians." 

In a brief interview, Ramseyer Winter took the time to explain the significance of this publication, and how it might help treat individuals with body image issues. 

Q: What is body image?

A: Body image is a multidimensional construct that includes the perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about their appearance. Body image and be negative and/or positive.

Q: How does a person's body image affect their health, well being and behavior?

A: Body image is related to a number of health, well-being, and behavior outcomes. For example, higher negative body image is related to higher levels of depression, anxiety, risky sexual behaviors, eating disorders, and disordered eating.

Q: How is body image measured?

A: Because body image is a complex, multidimensional construct, it can be measured in many different ways.

Q: Why do body image measurement scales need to be tailored to individuals?

A: Tailoring measurement scales to individuals allows clinicians to measure changes in specific aspects of body image in their clients.

Q: How will your book better help therapists and counselors treat patients who suffer from body image issues?

A: Clinicians who address body image in their practice with individuals and groups will be able to use our book to find and select the appropriate measure to assess their client's progress on body image-related interventions. For example, if the work they are focusing on with their client is around improving their client's appreciation of their body and what it can do for them, they might choose to use the Body Appreciation Scale-2 by Tracy Tylka and colleagues. Our book also has measures for constructs related to body image such as intuitive eating, intuitive exercise, weight stigma, and more.