Individuals with anorexia nervosa often hold a distorted view of their body size. Cutting-edge research reveals they even navigate spaces as if their bodies are significantly wider than reality.
The Experiment
Researchers employed an adjustable gate that could be widened or narrowed. Participants completed an unrelated task, unaware it measured the point at which they turned their shoulders to pass through.
Key Findings
Healthy participants began turning at a gate 25% wider than their shoulders. Those with anorexia did so at 40% wider, highlighting a profound perceptual mismatch.
Subconscious Impact
This effect operates below conscious awareness, offering valuable insights for anorexia therapies grounded in real behavioral data.
