Body image distortion in Anorexia Nervosa - is there really a perceptual deficit?

Perceived and ideal body image were analysed in 36 inpatients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and 18 control patients (age 11-23 years). A computer-based image distortion technique allowed distortion of the whole body and of body parts. Subjects rated their own image. A body perception index (BPI) was calculated by dividing estimated dimension with real dimension. There was no general overestimation of body dimensions in AN patients in comparison to controls but AN patients more often under- or overestimated their body dimensions. Control patients showed a significant lower ideal BPI than AN patients, whose ideal body shape was similar to the observed body shape. Profile analyses of the body part estimation procedure revealed significant differences between groups in the ideal body shape at the body regions thigh, hip, waist and chest with control patients again showing a lower BPI.