ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the anthropometric aspects of body image. When the anthropometric characteristics, such as stature, mass, and muscularity are examined in elite sports people, their mean values are found to deviate greatly from those of the general population, and the scatter of scores is much less. Concern with body image has usually been associated mainly with women; however there is increasing concern among men, probably as they become more and more exposed to images of ideal male bodies. The chapter addresses the question of what makes a person physically attractive or beautiful. There are simple anthropometric characteristics which are common to all bodies generally considered to be beautiful. These characteristics include symmetry, an hourglass shape, and slimness. Somatotype is a way of quantifying the shape of the human body, independent of size. Somatotype is usually assessed anthropometrically, that is by taking measurements. The chapter discusses the difficulties of 'blowing up' Barbie or Ken to life size.
