3D scanning ‘is best way to tackle anorexia’

THREE-dimensional scanners should be used to treat people suffering from eating disorders, Scottish research suggests.

A pilot study into the body image perception of eating disorder patients has found 3D imaging could offer the basis for new treatments.

The study tested the acceptability among patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa to having their bodies scanned using both two- and three-dimensional imaging.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Researchers found patients were more likely to accept the images gained from three- dimensional scanning, which measures the volume of all aspects of the body rather than two-dimensional, which only measures area from the front of the body.

Dr Arthur Stewart from Robert Gordon University’s Institute of Health and Welfare Research in Aberdeen said: “All existing methods for estimating perception accuracy or body dissatisfaction are based on 2D images.

“Quantifying body shape via 3D scanning could offer a highly robust scientific platform from which to establish which body regions patients are dissatisfied with and so develop the basis for new treatment interventions of eating disorders.

“3D scanning more fully represents the actual person in question. It does not measure perception or dissatisfaction, but merely captures 3D shape accurately.

“We know eating disorder patients do not see their own shape accurately, and we have used 3D modelling software to create an ‘orbit camera’ view of the person which will enable visual appraisal of 3D shape to be possible.”

Related topics: