What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to assess the effectiveness of a virtual reality program on body image perception in overweight and obese individuals, focusing on gender differences.

March 23, 2026Open Access

Usefulness of a virtual reality programme for body self-image in obese and overweight patients: a focus on gender differences – a randomised trial

Key Points

The study aims to assess the effectiveness of a virtual reality program on body image perception in overweight and obese individuals, focusing on gender differences.
Randomized trial with 102 overweight and obese adults divided into experimental and control groups.
Both groups received nutritional guidance based on the Mediterranean diet.
Only the experimental group engaged with immersive VR technology for body image assessment.
Baseline and post-intervention body self-image questionnaire scores were collected.
The experimental group showed improvement across all body self-image dimensions after the VR intervention.
Women reported higher levels of body dissatisfaction and lower engagement in health-oriented behaviors compared to men.
The VR intervention highlighted significant gender differences in body image concerns.

Abstract

Excess weight significantly impacts body image perception. While research on body satisfaction in overweight and obese individuals is extensive, most studies report high dissatisfaction, especially among women. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of a virtual reality (VR) intervention for improving body image perception among overweight and obese individuals and to examine gender differences. A total of 102 overweight and obese adults were recruited from the general community (Alicante, Spain) and randomized to the experimental (EG, n = 50) or control (CG, n = 52) group. The nutritional, anthropometric, body composition, clinical parameters and body self-image questionnaire (MBRSQ) scores were collected at baseline (Time 1) and postintervention (Time 2). Both groups received nutritional recommendations based on the Mediterranean diet (DM). Only the EG went through the 4D modelling machine, which showed the morphological changes of each participant over time through immersive VR. The results revealed that the EG improved in all the MBRSQ dimensions after the intervention, particularly in terms of the subjective importance of corporeality (SIC), physical fitness behaviors (BAMPF), and self-assessed physical attractiveness (SAPA). Significant gender differences emerged, with women exhibiting greater body dissatisfaction, greater body image concerns, and lower engagement in health-oriented behaviors. This study provides evidence of VR’s usefulness in improving body self-image perception and promoting healthier behaviors. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of addressing gender-based differences, as women experience greater societal pressures regarding body image. These findings highlight VR’s potential as a transformative tool for managing body image issues in individuals with excess weight. The study was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT07205029, registered on 30 September 2025).

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Cite This Study

Berbegal-Bernabeu et al. (Sat,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69c0df0bfddb9876e79c15f9 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-026-01893-4

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