Body Mass Index Silhouette Matching Test (BMI-SMT)

doi:10.1017/9781009398275.047

Chapter 46 - Body Mass Index Silhouette Matching Test (BMI-SMT)

Published online by Cambridge University Press: aN Invalid Date NaN

Michael Peterson

Edited by

Virginia Ramseyer Winter ,

Tracy L. Tylka and

Antoinette M. Landor

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Virginia Ramseyer Winter: Affiliation:
University of Minnesota
Tracy L. Tylka: Affiliation:
Ohio State University
Antoinette M. Landor: Affiliation:
University of Missouri

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Summary

The Body Mass Index Silhouette Matching Test (BMI-SMT) assesses body image satisfaction and perceptions using four silhouettes with normative heights and BMIs (18,24,30, and 36 body mass index) as anchor points along a continuum ranging from a BMI of 14 to 40. The BMI-SMT provides the researcher with 6 data points for analysis: self-reported actual BMI, perceived current BMI, perceived ideal BMI, actual weight, perceived current weight, and ideal weight. The BMI-SMT can be administered in-person or online to adolescents or adults and is free to use in any setting. Development of the BMI-SMT and instructions on its use and analysis are provided. Test-retest reliability and validity assessments support use of the BMI-SMT as an effective means of assessing perceptions of current and ideal body images. Analysis of data provides a unique metric to translate BMI-SMT scores into pounds utilizing a metric conversion formula. Information on costs, availability, contact information and copyright are provided.

Keywords

Body Mass Index Silhouette Matching Test BMI-SMT Perceived Current BMI Perceived Ideal BMI Self-Reported BMI Perceived weight Reliability Validity Administration Data Analysis Scale Development

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Handbook of Body Image-Related Measures , pp. 145 - 146

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009398275.047 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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References

Gardner, R. M., Friedman, B. N., & Jackson, N. A. (1998). Methodological concerns when using silhouettes to measure body image. Perceptual Motor Skills, 86, 387–395. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1998.86.2.387.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Gardner, R. M., Stark, K., Jackson, N. A., & Friedman, B. N. (1999). Development and validation of two new scales for assessment of body image. Perceptual Motor Skills, 89, 981–993. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1999.89.3.981.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Peterson, M., Ellenberg, D., & Crossan, S. (2003). Body-image perceptions: Reliability of a BMI-based silhouette matching test. American Journal of Health Behavior, 27(4), 355–363. https://doi.org/10.5993/ajhb.27.4.7.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Peterson, M., Orsega-Smith, E., & Tholstup, L. (2004). Validity of the Body Mass Index Silhouette Matching Test. American Journal of Health Behavior, 28(5), 437–443. https://doi.org/10.5993/ajhb.28.5.6.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Whitney, E. N., & Rolfes, S. R. (1996). Understanding Nutrition. West Publishing.Google Scholar

Wiederman, M. W., & Pryor, T. L. (2000). The role of body dissatisfaction in bulimic patients. Nutrition Research Newsletter, 19(2), 1.Google Scholar

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