Lenda Jo Connell

Clothing fit preferences of young female adult consumers

Purpose – This paper explores the relationships between body type and fit preferences with body cathexis, clothing benefits sought by consumers, and demographic profiles of consumers.Design/methodology/approach – The survey instrument consisted of a questionnaire with scales assessing fit preference, body type, body cathexis, clothing benefits sought and consumer demographics.Findings – Significant associations were found between body cathexis (satisfaction with head/upper body, lower body, height, weight and torso) and body shape. The degree of satisfaction with different body parts depended on the body type of the individual. The level of satisfaction with head/upper body, height and torso did not vary by body type. No significant differences were found between fit preferences and body type for lower body garments.Research limitations/implications – The majority of respondents were between the ages 18 and 28, affluent Caucasian Americans, with an hourglass body type, who had a family income of

Changes in body weight, composition, and shape: a 4-year study of college students

85,000 o...

The Freshman 15—A Closer Look

The objectives of this study were to examine changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), body composition, and shape in a group of male and female students over the 4-year college period. Anthropometric assessments including height and weight (via standard techniques), body composition (via bioelectrical impedance analysis), and body shape (via 3-dimensional body scanning) were conducted at the beginning of the freshman year and end of the senior year in 131 college students. Four-year changes included significant (p < 0.0001) gains in weight (3.0 kg), BMI (1.0 kg·m(-2)), body fat (3.6%), and absolute fat mass (3.2 kg). Males gained significantly (p < 0.0001) greater amounts of weight, BMI, percent and absolute fat mass, and fat-free mass than females. Weight change ranged from (-)8.7 to (+)16.8 kg. About 70% of the participants gained weight, which averaged 5.3 kg; significant (p < 0.0001) gains in BMI, fat-free mass, absolute fat mass, and percent body fat and significant (p < 0.0005) increases in neck, chest-bust, waist, hips, seat, and biceps circumferences were also observed in this weight gain group. The percentage of participants classified as overweight-obese increased from 18% to 31%. The number of females and males with ≥30% and 20% body fat, respectively, increased from n = 14 to n = 26 (with n = 4 exhibiting normal weight obesity) over the 4-year period. The waist circumference changes were significantly (p < 0.0001) correlated with both weight and percent body fat changes. In conclusion, the increasing prevalence of obesity and normal weight obesity among this college population suggests the need for additional health promotion strategies on college campuses.

Weight and Body Composition Changes during the First Three Years of College

Abstract Objectives and Participants: Changes in body weight, composition, and size were examined in college freshmen at the beginning (initial, n = 240) and end of fall semester 2007 (n = 214) and the end of spring semester 2008 (n = 205). Methods: Height, weight, body composition, and waist and hip measurements were assessed. Results: Mean weight, body mass index (BMI), absolute and percent body fat all increased significantly over fall semester and the academic year. About 31% of freshmen lost ≥5 lbs. Mean academic year weight gain was 2.6 lbs (entire group) and 6.0 lbs (weight gainers); body fat increased by 4.4 lbs in the weight gainers. A significant correlation (r = .509) was found between weight change and waist circumference change, but not between weight change and waist to hip ratio change. Conclusions: Freshmen weight gain is associated with increases in body fat and waist circumference, which may be troublesome should the trend continue throughout college.

Body composition changes during the first two years of university

Differences in weight, body mass index (BMI), percent and absolute body fat, fat-free mass, and waist circumference were investigated in a group of males and females during the first three years (from 2007 to 2010) of college. Significant three-year gains were observed for weight 2.1 ± 4.7 kg, BMI 0.7 ± 1.6 kg/m2, percent body fat 2.7 ± 3.3%, and fat mass 2.3 ± 3.5 kg. A significant loss of fat-free mass, −0.5 kg, was observed among females. Absolute gains in weight, BMI, and percent and absolute body fat were highest during the freshman year, followed by the junior year, and lowest during the sophomore year. Among the 70% of students gaining weight over the three years, weight gain averaged 4.3 kg. The numbers of females with over 30% body fat doubled, and the number of males with over 20% body fat increased fivefold. Initially 15% of students were classified as obese/overweight and 79% normal weight; by the end of the junior year, 24% were obese/overweight and 70% were normal weight. Efforts on college campuses to promote healthy lifestyles among its student population are needed throughout the college years.

Exploring the Apparel Needs and Preferences of Tween Girls and Their Mothers

OBJECTIVE Changes in body weight, composition, and shape were investigated in male and female college students between the freshman and sophomore years. METHODS Changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), percent and absolute body fat and fat-free mass (via bioelectrical impedance), and waist circumference (via body scans) were assessed over the freshman and sophomore years (2007-2009) among 120 students attending a Southern public university. RESULTS Weight (2.5 and 1.7 lbs) and BMI gains (0.3 and 0.3 kg/m(2)) did not significantly differ between the freshman and sophomore years, respectively. Significantly more percent body fat and fat mass were gained during the freshman (1.9% and 3.3 lbs, respectively) than the sophomore year (0.0% and 0.6 lbs, respectively). Females lost significantly more fat-free mass during the freshman (-0.8 lb) than during the sophomore year (1.0 lb). Changes in waist circumference and weight were significantly correlated. Increases in the percentages of females classified as overweight and with unhealthy body fat amounts and waist circumferences were observed. CONCLUSION While the sophomore year was characterized by slightly healthier body composition changes than the freshman year, the gains in weight, fat mass, and waist circumference measurements suggest increased health risks for many college females.

Body shape and fit preference in body cathexis and clothing benefits sought for professional African-American women

During their tween years, most girls go through puberty and their bodies change at a rapid pace. Like adults, increasing numbers of this group are now characterized as overweight or obese (Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1999). Thus, given this period of rapid change, compounded by problems with obesity, it was theorized that there are many subgroups, particularly related to age and size, that affect these consumers’ apparel relationships. The purpose of this research was thus, to characterize subgroups based on age and size of female tween consumers. Mothers were included in this study in order to understand how mother/daughter relationships affect the tweens’ apparel relationships. This exploratory study used content analysis of segmented focus groups and an emergent theme methodology, to show that tween girls have complex apparel relationships. Subjects in all groups indicated that they were unable to find clothing that was stylish, age appropriate, and fit their bodies. These identified gaps show the potential for niche markets within the tween consumer group and establishes a conceptual framework for further research.

Using body scans in assessing perceptions of body attractiveness and size: cross-cultural study

Little survey research exists that categorises the body shapes of African-American women or attempts to understand how these impact their clothing choices. This study profiled 153 professional African-American women regarding the influence of body shape and fit preference on their perceptions of body cathexis (degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with ones body) (Secord, P. and Jourard, S., 1953. The appraisal of body cathexis: body cathexis and the self. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 17, 343–347) and clothing benefits sought (Hwang, J., 1996. Relationships between body-cathexis, clothing benefits sought, and clothing behaviors, and effects of importance of meeting the ideal body image and clothing attitude. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg) for tailored career apparel. The body shapes (hourglass, rectangle, pear and inverted triangle) were self-reported. Fit preference was selected from a set of line drawings depicting a tailored jacket and pant as fitted, semi-fitted or loosely fitted. Body cathexis was rated for 19 body components. The assessed clothing benefits included fashion image, figure flaw compensation, sex appeal, clothing emphasis and fashion innovativeness. Analyses indicated an interaction effect between body shape and fit preference with several direct correlations for body cathexis and clothing benefits sought. The methods and practical implications are discussed.

Tween Girls and Their Mothers: Clothing Decision Criteria and Body Satisfaction

The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) and body shapes on the perception of female body attractiveness and body size. A convenience sample of 107 American and 102 Russian female students completed questionnaire coordinated with a stimulus of 27 images of female body scans used by respondents to rate body size and attractiveness. Body sizes were categorised according to BMI. Three body shapes (hourglass, rectangle and pear) were defined within the stimulus. Russian respondents reported lower scores on body attractiveness than American respondents for all 27 images. Body scans with underweight BMIs were perceived as being the most attractive in both cultures. There was a significant difference of perceptions of body sizes between the Americans and the Russians.

The impact of physical activity on body weight and fat gains during the first 3 years of college

The purpose of the research was to explore clothing characteristics that tween girls(ages 9-14) consider important when deciding what to wear, as well as what the tween girls` mothers believe that their daughters value. The purposive sample consisted of 41 mother-daughter pairs recruited by (Textile/Clothing Technology Corporation). Subjects were divided into younger(9-11) and older(12-14) normal- and plus-size groups based on Body Mass Index(BMI). There were significant differences between mothers and daughters in rating the importance of seven decision criteria concerning what to wear. The entire tween girls reported that clothes that fit well as the most important criteria in deciding what to wear. Clothes that were comfortable was the only criterion significantly related to the tween girls` body dissatisfaction scores. Mothers rated clothes that are the newest fashion and that friends would be wearing as being significantly more important than their daughters reported. There was a significant negative correlation between tween girls` body dissatisfaction scores and choosing clothes that are comfortable. Normal-size tweeen girls and their mothers differed significantly only when considering the newest fashion and what friends would be wearing. Plus-size tween girls and their mothers differed significantly for four criteria: fit, comfort, best looking, and what friends would be wearing. Both younger and older groups differed with mothers concerning what friends would be wearihng. Additionally, younger girls placed significantly more emphasis than their mothers fit. Older girls did not consider the newest fashion an important a decision criterion, but their mothers believed that they did.