Methods to develop figure rating scales (FRS): A systematic review

Ranil Jayawardena; Piumika Sooriyaarachchi; Masaharu Kagawa; Andrew P Hills; Neil A King

doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2021.03.026

Methods to develop figure rating scales (FRS): A systematic review

Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2021 May-Jun;15(3):687-693. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2021.03.026. Epub 2021 Mar 28.

Authors

Ranil Jayawardena¹, Piumika Sooriyaarachchi², Masaharu Kagawa³, Andrew P Hills⁴, Neil A King⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, 00800, Sri Lanka; Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Faculty of Health, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: ranil@physiol.cmb.ac.lk.
² Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Faculty of Health, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Health and Wellness Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, 00800, Sri Lanka.
³ Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Faculty of Health, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Institute of Nutrition Sciences, Kagawa Nutrition University, 3-9-21 Chiyoda, Sakado, Saitama, 350-0288, Japan.
⁴ School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Newnham Drive, Newnham TAS, 7248, Australia.
⁵ Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Faculty of Health, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

PMID: 33813243
DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2021.03.026

Abstract

Background and aims: Figure Rating Scales (FRS) are psychometric instruments developed to measure individual's perception of physical appearance and subsequently, to determine the level of body dissatisfaction. The following systematic review summarizes existing FRSs and the techniques used to development them.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the following databases; PubMed®, Web of Science®, Scopus® using key words "figure rating scale" AND "Stunkard".

Results: From 466 potentially relevant articles, 24 publications were included, 22 publications reporting original FRSs with the other two scales being modifications of the original for children and babies. Fifteen were figural drawings or silhouettes and nine were developed by photographic techniques, video methods or using computer software. Most of the figural scales were applicable for adults and consisted of nine images. Ten of the 15 figural scales were without facial features and four scales had minimal facial features. Technological advancements including 3D modeling have played a pivotal role in the development of FRSs.

Conclusions: FRSs have been developed by a mix of traditional and modern techniques. The development and validation of ethnic specific FRSs using modern technology should be the priority for future studies.

Keywords: FRS; Figural; Figure rating scale; Silhouettes; Stunkard.

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Body Dissatisfaction / psychology*
Body Image / psychology*
Body Mass Index*
Humans
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data*
Psychometrics / methods*
Size Perception*