Body percept change in obese females after weight reduction therapy

Video‐image representations of body size were measured on a television monitor that was modified to give a display continuum that ranged from 50% under‐ to 50% over‐estimation of objective size. Sixty‐eight females who were undergoing weight reduction counseling were measured before and after treatment. All Ss judged themselves to be significantly more obese than they actually were, with a tendency for errors to be greatest among the more obese Ss. After therapy, more realistic estimates of their physiques ensued. A drop‐out rate of 23% was recorded: the drop‐outs saw themselves as significantly more obese than those who graduated from the program.