Assessing Body Dissatisfaction and Attentional Bias Towards the Body Using Eye-Tracking Technology in Virtual Reality

Abstract

This study investigates body image perception, focusing on the impact of exposure to “ideal thinness” images on body dissatisfaction and attentional biases. Body image, shaped by beauty standards and sociocultural influences, significantly affects mental health, contributing to issues like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Body dissatisfaction extends beyond diagnosed cases, affecting the general population. This research employs virtual reality (VR) and eye-tracking (ET) technologies to objectively analyze attentional biases before and after inducing body dissatisfaction. Hypothesizing that exposure to idealized body images increases dissatisfaction, the study reveals that women, after induction, exhibited longer fixations on areas unrelated to weight, indicating avoidance behavior. Conducted with 40 women, using VR headsets and a virtual avatar, the study exposes participants to 15 “thin ideal” images. Results, measured through questionnaires and visual analog scales, show decreased body satisfaction and longer fixations on non-weight-related areas post-induction. The findings confirm the efficacy of VR and ET technologies in objectively assessing body dissatisfaction and attentional biases. Exposure to thinideal images heightens dissatisfaction and triggers attentional biases, potentially reflecting short-term avoidance strategies. These results underscore the importance of understanding the complex relationship between body dissatisfaction and attentional biases, providing insights for future research and intervention strategies.