Table 1

Characteristics of the Sample

VariableMean ± SD
Age37.4±13.2
BMI24.0±4.3
n (%)
Gender
Women445 (84.4)
Men75 (14.2)
Other genders5 (0.9)
Rather not answer2 (0.4)
Most common characteristics
White501 (95.1)
Heterosexual422 (80.1)
Finished university studies317 (60.2)
From rural area310 (58.8)
< €12,000/year income187 (35.5)
Other characteristics
Very perfectionist236 (44.8)
Diagnosed psychological disorder49 (9.3)
Physical disability20 (3.8)
Undergone drastic physical change220 (41.7)
Following a diet93 (17.6)
Dieting > 1 year60 (11.4)
Reasons for physical change
Health99 (18.8)
Physiological59 (11.2)
Family41 (7.8)
Work28 (5.3)
Other reasons42 (8.0)
No response / Don’t know8 (1.5)
Reasons for dieting
Health28 (5.3)
Illness23 (4.4)
Aesthetic22 (4.2)
Control19 (3.6)
Ethics9 (1.7)