Clothing Size Dissatisfaction: A Stronger Predictor of Size-related Avoidance than Body Mass Index

Participants in the current study (N = 2,997) were age and race-representative U.S. adults perceiving themselves as larger in body size than their ideal. Participants completed an internet survey inquiring about size and size-related avoidance behavior. Body mass index (BMI) was measured as well as a novel construct called relative size (RS; current-ideal size) to predict a variety of avoidance behaviors using a 10-item scale. A principal components analysis was performed on the 10-item avoidance scale, and components entitled general avoidance and body display avoidance emerged. Multiple regression analyses were then performed to examine gender differences in avoidance as well as the posited predictive utility of RS above and beyond BMI for the two components of avoidance using the following hierarchical series: BMI, RS, gender, gender/BMI interaction, and gender/RS interaction. RS was found to offer more predictive utility for general avoidance than BMI. For body display avoidance, results suggested that female gender was the sole significant predictor. We believe our findings reinforce previous literature stating that poor body image has more of an adverse impact on the lives of women compared to men and that one’s perception of size can deter involvement in varied life events.