Body Image Matrix of Thinness and Muscularity

doi:10.1017/9781009398275.042

Chapter 41 - Body Image Matrix of Thinness and Muscularity

Published online by Cambridge University Press: aN Invalid Date NaN

Friederike-Johanna Holtmann ,

Manuel Waldorf ,

Andrea S. Hartmann ,

Rike Arkenau-Kathmann ,

Beate Steinfeld and

Silja Vocks

Edited by

Virginia Ramseyer Winter ,

Tracy L. Tylka and

Antoinette M. Landor

Show author details

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

Book contents

Get access

Summary

The Body Image Matrix of Thinness and Muscularity (BIMTM; Arkenau et al., 2020; Steinfeld et al., 2020) is a figure rating scale that assesses perceptual body image. It is available in two separate versions, one for men (BIMTM-Male Bodies) and one for women (BIMTM-Female Bodies). It consists of an 8 x 8 grid with 64 colored and realistic-looking figures of White men or women that vary in body fat along the horizontal axis and muscle mass along the vertical axis. The BIMTM can be administered online or in-person to adults and is free to use. This chapter first discusses the development of the BIMTM and then provides evidence of its psychometrics with men and women. A two-dimensional (body fat and muscularity) is assumed. Test-retest reliability, ecological validity, convergent validity, and criterion validity support the use of both the male and female versions of the BIMTM. This chapter provides the BIMTM in its entirety, as well as its instructions for administration and scoring. Logistics of use, such as permissions, copyright, and citation information, are also provided for readers.

Keywords

Body Image Matrix of Thinness and Muscularity BIMTM figure rating scale body perception body shape higher-weight individuals internalization of societal appearance ideals adults scale development psychometric evidence reliability validity administration scoring available translations

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Handbook of Body Image-Related Measures , pp. 129 - 132

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009398275.042 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Arkenau, R., Vocks, S., Taube, C. O., Waldorf, M., & Hartmann, A. S. (2020). The Body Image Matrix of Thinness and Muscularity – Male Bodies: Development and validation of a new figure rating scale for body image in men. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(7), 1283–1292. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22933.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Cordes, M., Vocks, S., & Hartmann, A. S. (2021). Appearance-related partner preferences and body image in a German sample of homosexual and heterosexual women and men. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 50, 3575–3586. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02087-5.CrossRef Google Scholar

Steinfeld, B., Hartmann, A. S., Waldorf, M., & Vocks, S. (2020). Development and initial psychometric evaluation of the Body Image Matrix of Thinness and Muscularity–Female Bodies. Journal of Eating Disorders, 8, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-020-00345-w.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

Taube, C. O., Waldorf, M., Vocks, S., Steinfeld, B., & Hartmann, A. S. (2017, May). Entwicklung und Validierung einer Silhouetten-Matrix zur Erfassung von Schlankheit und Muskulosität bei Männern: Body Image Matrix of Thinness and Muscularity (Male Bodies) (Poster). 35. Symposium der Fachgruppe Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie (DGPs), Chemnitz, Germany.Google Scholar

Accessibility standard: WCAG 2.0 A

Why this information is here

This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.

Accessibility Information

The PDF of this book conforms to version 2.0 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), ensuring core accessibility principles are addressed and meets the basic (A) level of WCAG compliance, addressing essential accessibility barriers.

Content Navigation

Table of contents navigation
Allows you to navigate directly to chapters, sections, or non‐text items through a linked table of contents, reducing the need for extensive scrolling.

Index navigation
Provides an interactive index, letting you go straight to where a term or subject appears in the text without manual searching.

Reading Order & Textual Equivalents

Single logical reading order
You will encounter all content (including footnotes, captions, etc.) in a clear, sequential flow, making it easier to follow with assistive tools like screen readers.

Short alternative textual descriptions
You get concise descriptions (for images, charts, or media clips), ensuring you do not miss crucial information when visual or audio elements are not accessible.

Visual Accessibility

Use of colour is not sole means of conveying information
You will still understand key ideas or prompts without relying solely on colour, which is especially helpful if you have colour vision deficiencies.

Structural and Technical Features

ARIA roles provided
You gain clarity from ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles and attributes, as they help assistive technologies interpret how each part of the content functions.