According to a recent study selfies tend to make people look thinner compared to other camera angles. Individuals with disordered eating tendencies tend to see women as much slimmer in their selfies than the average participant group.
Individuals with eating disorders find women attractive in selfies
The study by the University of York and York St John University revealed that people generally find women equally attractive in photos, regardless of the camera angle. However, individuals at risk of eating disorders tend to find women more attractive in selfies, linking them to a slimmer appearance.
York St John University’s Dr Ruth Night and the study’s co-author said that selfies are a norm nowadays on different social media platforms. She explained that the filters on the photos may change how bodies appear.
Ten women participated in a study where they photographed their bodies (excluding their faces) in athletic wear. The photos were taken from different angles, including a standard front-facing self-timer shot, an arm’s length selfie, a selfie stick shot, and a downward perspective shot from the chin. Subsequently, female respondents were invited to assess the images. Furthermore, they filled out a survey focused on their emotions and actions concerning nutrition.
Angle of capturing photo influences perceptions on body dimensions
According to this study, it is proposed that the perspective from which a photograph is captured has the potential to influence our perceptions of body dimensions. Dr. Knight said that as a result when perusing images online, including straightforward, unaltered self-portraits, what we perceive may not always align with an authentic depiction of reality.
The visual perspective of viewing a body can influence how we perceive its relation to ourselves. Research has found that when rating attractiveness and weight, larger bodies appear less attractive and larger when viewed from an allocentric perspective, rather than an egocentric perspective.
According to the researchers, the findings of the study are constrained by the limited number of participants and the variability in photographic angles among them. Future investigations could delve into the influence of diverse camera perspectives on the perception of various body sizes.
