The relationship between body size and body composition in women of different nutritional status

This study analysed the relationship between weight, size, and body composi tion in various groups of real and fantasy women. By exploiting natural rel ationships between the weight and volume of human tissues, comparable data on weight, size, and body composition were obtained for healthy women from western and developing country populations, women with anorexia nervosa (AN ), and fantasy figures including popular children's dolls. Women from weste rn and developing country populations have different fatness and size despi te having similar weight relative to height. Women with AN have significant ly lower fat and lean mass, and thinner size, than healthy women. Fantasy f igures have body sizes similar to women with AN, implying similar body comp osition. In particular, children's dolls have body sizes similar to AN wome n at the time of death, although these effects are disguised by manipulatio n of body shape. Our study improves understanding of the body composition i mplied by manipulation of female shape and size. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wi ley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.