The fitting room is an important part of a clothing store, it's often where the customer decides if they want to buy the garment or not. Therefore it is important that the customer can feel safe and comfortable when they are trying the clothing. A typical fitting room in Sweden today has only one bright spotlight that emits light either towards the face or from the ceiling above. This study explores possible lighting solutions that take into account the customer's experience in the fitting room. The study aim to increase understanding of the importance of a good light in fitting rooms, so that customers gets a nice experience and that clothes, body shape and facial features are shown in a natural way. The issue therefore included how lighting can affect the customer's perception of the clothing and how the perception of body shape, facial features and the clothes change in different lighting solutions. To answer these questions, observations were made in various clothing stores, followed by an experimental study divided into two parts. The first part was a practical part where trying different lighting directions were tested on a mannequin, which resulted in three selected lighting solutions. The second part was a full-scale study. 15 people evaluated a fitting room with three different lighting solutions. The result demonstrates the importance of natural shadows and contrasts on the face and body and that it is important to consider how light falls and avoid glare. This is done by well-placed or shielded fixtures and by using several different lighting directions. The lighting in fitting rooms should be adapted to the type of clothes and customer group. / Provrummet är en viktig del i en klädbutik, det är ofta där kunden beslutar om plagget ska köpas eller inte. Det är därför viktigt att kunden kan känna sig trygg och bekväm vid klädprovningen. Ett typiskt provrum i Sverige idag har endast en ljuspunkt som belyser kunden antingen rakt framifrån eller ovanifrån. I denna studie undersöks tänkbara belysningslösningar som tar hänsyn till kundens upplevelse i provrummet. Studiens syfte var att öka förståelsen för hur viktigt det är med en god belysning i provrum, för att kunden ska få en bra upplevelse och att kläderna, kroppens form och anletsdrag ska framhävas på ett naturligt sätt. Frågeställningen innefattade därför hur belysningen kan påverka kundens upplevelse av klädprovningen och hur upplevelsen av kroppens form, anletsdrag och kläderna förändras i olika belysningslösningar. För att besvara dessa frågor gjordes observationer i olika klädbutiker, därefter genomfördes en experimentell studie som delades in i två delar. Första delen var en praktiskt prövande del där olika ljusriktningar testades på en skyltdocka. Denna resulterade i tre belysningslösningar att gå vidare med. Andra delen var en fullskalestudie där ett provrum byggdes upp med de tre olika belysningslösningar som sedan 15 stycken personer fick studera med hjälp av ett frågeformulär. Resultatet visar på vikten av att belysningen skapar naturliga skuggor och kontraster på kropp och ansikte, och att det är viktigt att tänka på hur ljuset faller, samt att belysningen inte är bländande. Detta görs genom välplacerade eller avskärmade armaturer och med flera olika ljusriktningar. Studien visar att belysningen i provrum bör anpassas efter typ av kläder och kundgrupp.

The name of the work: Shape changes in the axial system during respiration Goal of the work: the main objective is to perform a case study of brass parameters and changes the shape of the trunk during the ventilation maneuver, prepare the correct methodology of research and to conduct separate measurements. The thesis will be divided into two parts, the first will contain the theoretical background to the subject, in the second part will then be described by the research, where I measured the change in the volume of the lungs in relation to time, assess the impact of implemented ventilation maneuver on the individual probands and examine the respiratory dynamics in selected ventilation maneuver. Methods: in the framework of the fulfilment of the tasks of this work have been carried out experiments with the use of 3D kinematic record with Qualisys and spirometric measurement. The experiment involved three probands aged 20 to 40 specific common features. Each of the proband performed during the measurement of quiet breathing, maximum inhalation and exhalation and ventilation maneuver. Measurements were carried out in one day under standard conditions, measurements made on the day of probands quiet breathing, maximum inhalation and exhalation and ventilation maneuver (5 min total). Data records were...

A complex trait is a trait or disease that is controlled by both genetic and environmental factors, along with their interactions. Trait architecture encompasses the genetic variants and environmental causes of variation in the trait or disease, their effects on the trait or disease and the mechanism by which these factors interact at molecular and organism levels. It is important to understand trait architecture both from a biological viewpoint and a health perspective. In this thesis, I laid emphasis on exploring the influence of familial environmental factors on complex trait architecture alongside the genetic components. I performed a variety of studies to explore the architecture of anthropometric and cardio-metabolic traits, such as height, body mass index, high density lipoprotein content of blood and blood pressure, using a cohort of 20,000 individuals of recent Scottish descent and their phenotype measurements, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) data and genealogical information. I extended a method of variance component analysis that could simultaneously estimate SNP-associated heritability and total heritability whilst considering familial environmental effects shared among siblings, couples and nuclear family members. I found that most missing heritability could be explained by including closely related individuals in the analysis and accounting for these close relationships; and that, on top of genetics, couple and sibling environmental effects are additional significant contributors to the complex trait variation investigated. Subsequently, I accounted for couple and sibling environmental effects in Genome- Wide Association Study (GWAS) and prediction models. Results demonstrated that by adding additional couple and sibling information, both GWAS performance and prediction accuracy were boosted for most traits investigated, especially for traits related to obesity. Since couple environmental effects as modelled in my study might, in fact, reflect the combined effect of assortative mating and shared couple environment, I explored further the dissection of couple effects according to their origin. I extended assortative mating theory by deriving the expected resemblance between an individual and in-laws of his first-degree relatives. Using the expected resemblance derived, I developed a novel pedigree study which could jointly estimate the heritability and the degree of assortative mating. I have shown in this thesis that, for anthropometric and cardio-metabolic traits, environmental factors shared by siblings and couples seem to have important effects on trait variation and that appropriate modelling of such effects may improve the outcome of genetic analyses and our understanding of the causes of trait variation. My thesis also points out that future studies on exploring trait architecture should not be limited to genetics because environment, as well as mate choice, might be a major contributor to trait variation, although trait architecture varies from trait to trait.

The Different Faces of Bulimia is a research project that has represented a journey. It began with the question “How do females experience bulimia as part of their lives?” and moved through rooms where different ‘faces’, or theories on bulimia, were met with and interviewed. There appear to exist, in literature concerning bulimia, five dominant faces on the matter. These are the Psychopathology face, the Psychoanalytic face, the Cognitive-behavioural face, the Cyberspace face, and the Narrative face. Each of these appeared to offer an individual and different meaning of bulimia. The research extended to include the sixth and seventh faces of C and L, two women who live with bulimia in their own lives, and the meaning that they attach to it. They represented the individual faces that existed in human interaction and not in the words of books, magazines, or computer screens. The meaning of bulimia in C and L’s lives was searched for in interviews with both women that were audio-recorded and transcribed. The analysis of these was done in line with narrative methodology which holds that our experience is constructed in collaboration with history (or past experience) and culture. Both history and culture is assumed to inform and co-author the narratives of bulimia in C and L lives, as well in the lives of the five dominant faces explored in this research. The analysis took the form of searching for the meaning that C and L attach to bulimia. The five dominant literary faces also became the history and culture that one supposes women living with bulimia to co-exist with, and their effect on their personal narratives became important. That is, whether the dominant literary faces had an effect on the stories told by the faces of these two women. In line with narrative methodology, this research’s aim was not to provide one final answer or conclusion to the research question, but rather to provide an analysis of the individual meanings contained in each face. It has, in effect, added another face of bulimia in it’s search for what bulimia means. / Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Psychology / MA / unrestricted

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-01-21T11:08:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 naryllemariabacelarchaibzanolli.pdf: 1132095 bytes, checksum: 5fd9f15df27da6162b1b82df22f44357 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-01-25T18:43:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 naryllemariabacelarchaibzanolli.pdf: 1132095 bytes, checksum: 5fd9f15df27da6162b1b82df22f44357 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-25T18:43:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 naryllemariabacelarchaibzanolli.pdf: 1132095 bytes, checksum: 5fd9f15df27da6162b1b82df22f44357 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-27 / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / A figura mental relacionada ao tamanho e forma do corpo, além dos sentimentos e das atitudes relacionados a essas características, é designada pelo termo imagem corporal. Apesar de singular e indivisível, a imagem corporal integra múltiplas dimensões, sendo vulnerável a processos dinâmicos internos e externos, estando em constante transformação. A insatisfação corporal está ligada à baixa autoestima e limitações no desempenho psicossocial, associando-se a quadros depressivos, além de estar relacionada aos distúrbios de comportamento alimentar como anorexia, bulimia e comer compulsivo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar os fatores associados à insatisfação corporal entre estudantes regularmente matriculados nas séries iniciais do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola pública do município de Juiz de Fora – MG e identificar as impressões quanto à imagem e insatisfação corporais daqueles com estado nutricional adequado. Foi realizado um estudo de delineamento transversal, de natureza quantitativa e qualitativa, descritivo, analítico e exploratório. A amostra foi constituída por escolares entre oito e doze anos regularmente matriculados no Ensino Fundamental I de uma escola pública de Juiz de Fora - MG. O instrumento utilizado para avaliar a insatisfação corporal foi uma escala de figuras de silhuetas, sendo os demais dados coletados por meio de questionários. A coleta dos dados qualitativos se deu por meio de grupo focal. Os dados quantitativos foram analisados através do pacote estatístico Statistical Software for Professional (STATA), versão 12.0. A medida de associação utilizada foi a Razão de Prevalência (RP), determinada através da regressão de Poisson com estimador de variância robusta. Foi considerado um nível de significância de 5% para a definição do modelo final. A análise do grupo focal foi realizada utilizando-se diretamente os conteúdos provenientes das discussões. Observou-se frequência de insatisfação corporal de 86,5% e sua associação significativa com o porcentagem de gordura corporal, duração da atividade física, escolaridade materna e trabalho materno. Os resultados obtidos através do método qualitativo demonstram a preocupação com o corpo, aparência e com a opinião das outras pessoas a respeito da imagem corporal, além do desejo em realizar alguma alteração corpórea. Também foram observadas a influência da família e da mídia sobre a imagem corporal. A infância e a adolescência são períodos em que se adquirem hábitos que poderão ser levados por toda a vida, além de representarem um público propenso a atitudes inadequadas. Assim, destaca-se a importância em se realizar pesquisas com estes indivíduos, especialmente relativas à imagem corporal, já que a insatisfação com o corpo traz pensamentos e sensações negativos, influenciando a saúde emocional, a qualidade de vida e o convívio social. / The mental picture related to the size and shape of the body, besides the feelings and attitudes related to these characteristics, is designated by the term body image. Although single and indivisible, the body image integrates multiple dimensions, being vulnerable to internal and external dynamic processes and being in constant transformation. Body dissatisfaction is linked to low self-esteem and limitations of the psychosocial performance. It is also associated with depression, as well as being related to eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating. The present study aimed to determine the factors associated to body dissatisfaction among students enrolled in the early grades of elementary school in a public school in the city of Juiz de Fora – MG, and identify the impressions on the body image and body dissatisfaction of those with adequate nutritional status. A cross design of quantitative and qualitative, descriptive, analytical and exploratory study was performed. The sample consisted of children between eight and twelve years, enrolled in the elementary school in a public school of Juiz de Fora - MG. The instrument used to assess body dissatisfaction was a body shape figures scale, and the remaining data was collected through questionnaires. The qualitative data was collected through the focus group method. The quantitative data was analyzed using the statistical package Statistical Software for Professional (STATA) version 12.0. The measure of association used was the prevalence ratio (PR), determined by the Poisson regression with robust variance estimator. It was considered a significance level of 5% for the definition of the final model. The analysis of the focus group was performed using the content of the discussions. It was observed a frequency of body dissatisfaction of 86.5% and significant association with body fat percentage, duration of physical activity, maternal education and maternal employment. The results obtained by the qualitative assay demonstrate the concern with the body appearance and the opinion of others about body image, besides the desire to perform some corporal change. The influence of family and media on body image was also observed. Childhood and adolescence are periods in which people acquire habits that may be taken for life, and they represent people prone to take inadequate attitudes. Thus, it is important to conduct research with these individuals, especially relating to body image, as body dissatisfaction brings negative thoughts and feelings, influencing emotional health, quality of life and social interaction.

The current research study is responding to recent findings wherein, Fischer et al. (2013) report a risk rate based on EAT-26 scores in the range of 9.2% to 10.8% at BYU in comparison to the 15% they found reported in the literature using samples from other college campuses. Risk rates based on BSQ scores were reported in the 27.2% to 31.1% range, which was on par with a risk rate of 28.7% reported at a comparable university (Fischer et al., 2013). Fischer et al. (2013) conclude that while body shape concerns were estimated to be equal to or lower than reports at other universities, the level of eating disorder risk was not what would have been expected based on the estimates of other universities of the correlations normally found between EAT-26 and BSQ scores. This qualitative study investigated the experiences of 14 women who were identified as exhibiting high body shape dissatisfaction as determined by the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and did endorse having disordered eating attitudes or habits as determined by the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). The In-depth interviews and data analysis were conducted using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis method and aimed at exploring the experiences of these women and what they believe keeps them healthy. Seven themes emerged from the data: Control, Social, Spiritual, Priorities, Exposure to Information, Avoidance, and Food Relationship. The first four themes were further conceptualized as having both a positive, or protective, impact and a negative, or counterproductive, impact on the participants. These four themes contributed to the participants overall Self-concept. The latter three themes, although likely having the same dual potential conceptualization were less compatible with an overall model despite being themes that were emphasized in the transcripts. The theme Control was further conceptualized to depict how the positive/protective impact functioned through a perception of choice and empowerment and how the negative/counterproductive impact functioned through a perception of no choice and disempowerment. Each of these possibilities yielded two potential outcomes for the participants, (a) enforce desired behaviors; or (b) do not enforce desired behaviors. What appears to be most protective against allowing body dissatisfaction to lead to disordered eating attitudes and behaviors is having a sense of self that is accepted by both oneself and by others. Ultimately, the results are a first step in the exploration of protective factors for women with a risk of developing an eating disorder. The results provide potential implications for future research and hint at potential clinical uses, both of which are discussed.

Current empirical evidence suggests that true recovery from eating disorders is not possible without a corresponding improvement in body image and self-esteem. Ten studies in current literature evaluate this relationship between self-esteem and clinical eating disorders during inpatient treatment or during follow-up studies but do not provide both pre- (baseline) and post-treatment self-esteem scores. As a result, many questions about the nature of the relationship between eating disorders and self-esteem remain unanswered. The purpose of this study was to empirically investigate whether a comprehensive measure of self-esteem, given to women at the beginning of inpatient treatment for eating disorders, reliably predicted treatment outcome. Specific and global levels of self-esteem were determined by the Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory (MSEI). Pearson Product Moment Correlations run on SPSS 10 were used to determine significant results. Participants in this study included 246 women experiencing anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or eating disorder not otherwise specified who received inpatient treatment at the Center for Change (CFC), in Orem, Utah, during the years 1996 to 2003. For the purposes of this study, outcome was measured upon termination of treatment at the Center for Change. CFC discharge was based on clinical judgment of progression through the treatment program, medical stability, reduction of purging behaviors, body weight, as well as attainment of additional treatment goals designed by the therapist. The results of the current study replicate earlier research that reports that positive treatment outcome is nearly always associated with high self-esteem at discharge. These findings extend earlier research by suggesting that high levels of self-esteem at admission are associated with positive treatment outcome. This investigation, which is the first to examine self-esteem change scores between admission and discharge, found that women who experience the greatest decrease in eating disorder symptomatology are those who presented at admission with low self-esteem. Further, a significant association was found between improvements in self-esteem and decreases in eating disorder symptomatology. These findings suggest that the women who report high self-esteem at admission, or women who have low self-esteem but make dramatic improvements by discharge, are likely to experience significant reductions in disordered eating behaviors.

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how design principles regarding body shape work in practice and how these affect the perception of a stylized 3D character's personality traits. We hope this can help animators and character designers gain an awareness of how character design affects the experience of the characters. This was investigated through a quantitative survey that was distributed in groups on Facebook and shared on our private Facebook profiles. For the questionnaire, nine animated film clips were created where three characters with triangular, round, and generic body shapes were tested against three different personality traits. These traits were loving, elation, and sadness. The answers from the questionnaire were used to analyze how spectatorsperceive animated characters depending on their body shape and to see if established design principles regarding character design are correct. The results from the survey showed that the respondents often had positive connotations to the round character and that the design principles that exist around the round body shape are correct. The respondents had several negative connotations to the triangular character even though the design principles could not be fully proven. The survey also showed that the majority of the respondents considered that the character's body language and level of expressiveness were more important for how they perceived the character's feelings and state of mind than the shape of the body. However, we can see clear patterns that body shape has influenced the respondents' perception of the characters; especially when the characters had similar body language and level of expressiveness among themselves. This shows that body shape and animation are strongest when used together. / Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka hur designprinciper gällande kroppsform fungerar i praktiken och hur dessa påverkar uppfattningen av en stiliserad 3D-karaktärs personlighetsmässiga egenskaper. Det här hoppas vi kan hjälpa animatörer och karaktärsdesigners att få en medvetenhet kring hur karaktärsdesign påverkar upplevelsen av karaktärerna. Detta undersöktes genom en kvantitativ enkät som spreds i grupper på Facebook och via delning från våra privata Facebookprofiler. För enkäten skapades nio animerade filmklipp där karaktärer med kroppsformerna triangulär, rund och generisk testades mot tre olika personlighetsmässiga egenskaper. Dessa var kärleksfullhet, upprymdhet och ledsamhet. Svaren från enkäten användes för att analysera hur en åskådare uppfattar en animerad karaktär beroende på dennes kroppsform samt för att se om etablerade designprinciper kring karaktärsdesign stämmer. Resultatet från enkäten visade på att respondenterna ofta hade positiva konnotationer till den runda karaktären och att de designprinciper som finns kring rund kroppsform stämmer väl. Respondenterna hade betydligt fler negativa konnotationer till den triangulära karaktären även om designprinciperna som testades inte kunde bevisas fullt ut. Undersökningen visade även att majoriteten av respondenterna ansåg att karaktärens kroppsspråk och nivå av uttrycksfullhet var mer viktigt för hur de uppfattade karaktärens känslor och sinnestillstånd än kroppsformen. Vi kan emellertid se tydliga mönster av att kroppsformen har påverkat respondenternas uppfattningar om karaktärerna; speciellt när karaktärerna hade liknande kroppsspråk och nivå av uttrycksfullhet sinsemellan. Detta visar på att kroppsform och animation blir starkast när det används tillsammans.

One of the greatest challenges facing the clothing industry worldwide, including South Africa is to provide well fitting garments to a broadly defined target population (Ashdown, Loker & Rucker 2007:1; Schofield, Ashdown, Hethorn, LaBat & Salusso 2006:147). Yu (2004:32) further states that from the consumers’ perspective, physical and psychological comfort as well as appearance play an important role in determining a well fitting garment and these are most likely to be shaped by the individual’s personal values. According to Kaiser (1998:290), personal values refer to standards or principles that guide an individual’s actions and thoughts that help to define what is important by guiding one’s choices or preferences of how the garment should fit. Hence garment fit and the subsequent appearance serves as a personal expression, communicating some personal values to others (Kaiser 1998:290) that can be achieved through the fitting of the garment. When female consumers encounter garment fit problems either through body shapes, garment sizing or garment size label communication, an emotional experience may result due to the failure to attain the personal values they are aiming to uphold or achieve. Cognitive appraisal theory of emotions is one of the theories among others that attempts to understand why people experience emotions. Lazarus (2001:55) defines cognitive appraisal theory of emotions as a quick evaluation of a situation with respect to one’s wellbeing. The answers to these evaluations directly cause the emotions experienced by a person. Since clothing can be used to express personal values to others (Kaiser 1998:146), the social standards appraisal dimension which can be one of the evaluative questions in the theory of cognitive appraisal concerning a situation, was the relevant evaluative component which this study focused on. This appraisal dimension evaluates whether the situation, in this case the negative experience of an ill-fitting garment affects what the consumer aspires to achieve socially through garment fit. Numerous studies such as Horwaton and Lee (2010); Pisut and Connell (2007) and Alexander, Connell & Presley (2005) on the garment fit problems from a consumer’s perspective have mostly been conducted in developed countries with limited research focusing on the consumers and their emotional experiences with garment fit. Understanding the factors that contribution to the garment fit problem currently being faced by female consumers in South Africa is an essential step in creating awareness of how this problem affects female consumers emotionally and the influence it has on their purchasing decisions. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to determine the female consumers’ personal values attributed to garment fit and to identify the emotions resulting from the perceptions of garment fit. This study predominantly employed an exploratory qualitative research approach. Data were collected from a purposive and convenient sample of 62 females from the UNISA – Florida Campus and King David High School in Victory Park in Johannesburg, South Africa through a self-administered questionnaire. Data on the demographic profile that included the ethnicity and age of the participants as well as data on the psychographic profile of the participants concerning frequently patronized clothing retailers, garment fit preferences and self-reported body shapes were collected through closed-ended questions. These data were analysed using the quantitative method of descriptive analysis. In addition to the psychographic profile of the most frequently patronized clothing retailer and garment fit preferences, participants were further requested to provide reasons as to why they mostly patronized the clothing retailer they ranked number 1, and to provide a reason for their preferred garment fit option. Content analysis, a qualitative method, was used to analyse the reasons provided by the participants for both these questions. Content analysis was also performed on additional information on body shape and garment sizing as well as data on garment size label communication. Furthermore, the means-end chain approach through the hard laddering exercises was used to explore and determine the female consumers’ personal values and emotions depicted through the perceptions of garment fit. Data from the hard laddering interviews on body shapes and garment sizing were carefully coded and categorized into attributes, consequences and personal values. Data were presented through the hierarchical value maps (HVMs) which were constructed through the software program Mecanalyst V 9.1. The analysis established that attributes such as quality of garments, various garment styles, availability of sizes, and fashionable styles directed female consumers’ most frequented clothing retailers. These attributes seemed to be aligned with their personal values they seek when shopping for garments. The findings also showed that most female consumers in this study preferred semi-fitting pants, a blouse and garments in general, a reasonable number of the participants preferred tight-fitting pants (31%), and some participants preferred loose-fitting pants, a blouse and garments in general. The specific personal values such as the comfortability of the garment, modesty, cover-up perceived body shape “flaws” and slimming effect which female consumers in this study desire to achieved through clothing also influenced their garment fit preference. With regard to the perceived self-reported body shapes of the participants, the study reflected that the majority of the participants were triangular body shaped. The study further found that female consumers in this study have expectations of how a garment ought to fit their body. Their expectations seem to be shaped by certain personal values such as “confidence”, “freedom” or “look good” which they aspire to achieve through clothing and garment fit. However, due to variations in body shapes, problems of garment sizing they encounter when purchasing ready-to wear garments and the incorrect information communicated on the size labels or the lack thereof, the majority of the female consumers failed to achieve their personal values. As a result mainly negative emotions such as “frustrated”, “sad”, “confused” and “depressed” were expressed by the participants. With regards to the effect of the perceived garment fit on the purchasing decision, the study found that fit of the garment is an important determinant of making a purchase. However, where female consumers in this study showed an interest of purchasing, while aware of some fit problems, the study found that exceptional conditions such as the possibility of altering the garments and design features such as colours that would conceal their perceived “figure flaws, made it easier for them to decide to purchase. The study further highlighted that some participants only purchased their ready-to-wear garment at certain shops where their needs were catered for and only when they had enough time to try-on the garment they intend to purchase instead of relying on the garment sizing and garment size label communication. Where participants indicated they would not purchase a garment with fitting problems, the study found that some female consumers in this study copied the designs of the garments in the clothing retailers and had someone reproduce it for them, whilst a few female consumers refused to purchase a garment whose size label was incorrectly communicated. Lastly the study also revealed that most female consumers thought that body shape, garment sizing and garment size label communication contribute to garment fit problems female consumers are currently facing in South Africa. It is, therefore, recommended that clothing manufacturers consider the various body shapes in their garment charts, know the needs of their target market and also use uniform sizing and size labelling systems that are easily understood by consumers that purchase ready-to-wear garments from retailers in South Africa. / Life & Consumer Sciences / M. Sc. (Consumer Science)

Sen några år tillbaka har den psykiska hälsan försämrats hos ungdomar i Sverige. Två utav många frisk- och skyddsfaktorer som främjar psykisk hälsa är socialt stöd, framför allt av jämnåriga och en god grundläggande självkänsla. Därför var syftet med denna undersökning att studera ungdomars sociala stöd i relation till kroppsform/vikt och självkänsla. Undersökningen studerar även om de skiljer sig mellan pojkar och flickor. Undersökningens metod hade en kvantitativ ansats vilket möjliggjorde för kartläggning av faktorerna, undersökning om samband förekommer mellan faktorerna och om skillnader mellan könen existerar. I tidigare forskning och teorier redogörs att det finns samband mellan socialt stöd och självkänsla, vilket denna studie inte kunnat påvisa. Resultatet visade istället att en stor del av respondenterna hade en låg självkänsla men ett högt socialt stöd i relation till kroppsform/vikt och att det inte fanns något samband mellan dessa variabler. De huvudsakliga fynden i undersökningen redogjorde att cirka tre fjärdedelar av respondenterna hade låg självkänsla, fler tjejer än killar hade en låg självkänsla och både flickor och pojkar hade ett relativt högt socialt stöd. Den låga självkänslan bland ungdomar kan påverka deras hälsa negativt både nu och i framtiden, därför ligger det i både samhällets och individens intresse att möta detta problem. / Since a few years back the mental health has deteriorated among the Swedish adolescents. Two of many health and safety factors that prevent mental health are social support, especially by peers and a good basic self-esteem. Therefor was the purpose of this survey to examine adolescents’ social support in relation to body shape/weight and self-esteem. The survey also analyzes differences between boys and girls. The method of the survey was executed with a quantitative approach which made it possible to map the health factors, analyze if there exist any correlations between the health factors and if there occur gender differences. Earlier research and theories describe a connection between social support and self-esteem, which this survey could not confirm. The result of this survey showed instead that a bigger part of the respondents had a low self-esteem but high social support in relation to body shape/ weight and that there were no correlations between these variables. The main findings of the survey showed that about three quarters of the respondents had low self-esteem, more girls than boys had a low self-esteem and both girls and boys had a relatively high social support. The low self-esteem among adolescents can have a damaging effect on their health in both short and long term therefor it is in both society and individuals best interest working to encounter this issue.