ABSTRACT
Although the focus is on body image-related aspects of anthropometry, the theory and applications can be transferred to other areas such as sport-, health-and design-related anthropometry.
There are four laboratory experiences, each illustrating
an aspect of recent theoretical devel op-• ments in the study of body image; conceptual and practical aspects of • anthropometry; and statistical and analytical techniques. •
9.2 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ‘Body image’ is perhaps best understood as a network of representations of bodies,
including the image we have of our own bodies and of others’ (often ideal bodies, such as those of models, movie stars and sportspeople, but also of ‘dystopian’ bodies, such as the diseased and obese). We constantly make comparisons between our own bodies and the bodies of others, and these comparisons drive body-related behaviours such as eating, gender and exercise. The study of body image can be thought of as the intersection of anthropometry and psychology.
