Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults

The Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA), developed by Mendelson, Mendelson, and White (2001), is a validated measure of body image and…

Questions: 23
Duration: 10 min
Original title: BESAA — Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults
Adaptation: Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults
Authors: Mendelson, B. K., Mendelson, M. J., & White, D. R.
Created: 2001

The Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA), developed by Mendelson, Mendelson, and White (2001), is a validated measure of body image and physical self-evaluation. Body esteem is closely tied to overall self-worth and frequently becomes a central focus in the treatment of eating disorders, depression, and social anxiety.

This 23-item questionnaire moves beyond a single global score to capture three distinct dimensions: general feelings about one's appearance, satisfaction with weight, and the belief about how one's body is perceived by others. By breaking down body esteem into these subscales, clinicians can better understand whether a patient's distress is driven primarily by internal judgment. It also clarifies the role of external pressures and social comparison in shaping their self-image.

Because it is sensitive to both age and gender differences across adolescence and adulthood, the BESAA is a versatile tool for baseline intake and longitudinal monitoring. Tracking subscale scores over time allows clinicians and patients to observe shifts in physical self-evaluation. This is particularly useful as therapeutic interventions targeting rigid rules begin to take effect. It also provides an objective metric when softening destructive "should" statements regarding body weight and shape.

Example result

Fictitious result, computed from a sample set of answers.

The BESAA is a 23-item self-report questionnaire evaluating body esteem in adolescents and adults. It comprises three subscales: Appearance (general feelings about one's appearance, 10 items), Weight (weight satisfaction, 8 items), and Attribution (evaluations attributed to others regarding one's body and appearance, 5 items). It is used in clinical practice and research to identify body dissatisfaction and track post-intervention outcomes (eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, obesity, depression with altered body image).

Norms by sex and age — Mendelson 2001

Sex

Age

Appearance — 13

généraleGirls · 12–13 years · n = 42 · Mendelson et al. (2001)

040

M = 22 ± 10

Weight — 17

généraleGirls · 12–13 years · n = 42 · Mendelson et al. (2001)

032

M = 17.6 ± 9.6

Attribution — 13

généraleGirls · 12–13 years · n = 42 · Mendelson et al. (2001)

020

M = 9 ± 4.5

Select sex then age group: only the norms for the selected group are displayed (original validation study, Canadian students, n = 1 334). Published per-item means (0–4), converted to our subscale sum scores.

Mendelson et al. (2001)View the study ↗

Weight

17/ 32

Satisfaction/dissatisfaction with weight subscale of the BESAA-LA.

items 3, 4, 8, 10, 16, 18, 19, 22

032

Appearance

13/ 40

General feelings and evaluations about physical appearance.

items 1, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21, 23

040

Attribution

13/ 20

Evaluations attributed to others about one's body and appearance.

items 2, 5, 12, 14, 20

020

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What the test measures

The BESAA measures an individual's subjective evaluation of their physical self through a multidimensional lens.

Appearance: Captures general feelings of satisfaction or distress regarding one's overall looks, regardless of body mass.
Weight: Assesses satisfaction or dissatisfaction specifically related to body weight, including distress around the act of weighing oneself.
Attribution: Evaluates the individual's perception of how others view their body, capturing the external and social dimensions of body esteem.

This instrument is validated for both adolescents and adults.

When and why to use it

Clinicians use the BESAA to assess body image distress comprehensively, avoiding the assumption that body dissatisfaction is entirely weight-centric.

Baseline assessment: Provides a clear multidimensional profile of a patient's body esteem at intake.
Formulation building: Helps identify if distress is maintained by internal dissatisfaction or by negative evaluations attributed to others, guiding cognitive restructuring efforts.
Treatment monitoring: Tracks changes over time to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions targeting automatic thoughts about appearance and weight.
Relational exploration: Highlights the social aspect of body esteem, offering a gateway to explore approval-seeking behaviors or social withdrawal.

Using a validated score adds precision to the clinical impression by distinguishing distinct domains of body esteem that might otherwise blur together in open conversation.

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The questions

Below is a series of statements concerning your body and appearance. For each, indicate how often you feel this way by choosing the response that best applies to you.
1. I like the way I look in photos.
Assesses the patient's comfort with capturing and viewing their own physical image.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
2. Other people consider me good-looking.
Probes the patient's assumption about their physical attractiveness in the eyes of others.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
3. I am proud of my body.
Evaluates the overarching sense of pride or positive regard for the physical self.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
4. I worry about trying to change my weight.
Measures the cognitive load and behavioral drive associated with weight-control efforts.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
5. I think my appearance would help me get a job.
Assesses the belief in the instrumental value and social currency of one's appearance.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
6. I like what I see when I look in the mirror.
Probes the direct internal reaction to one's own reflection.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
7. There are many things I would change about my appearance if I could.
Evaluates the presence of broad dissatisfaction and the desire for physical modification.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
8. I am satisfied with my weight.
Measures direct contentment with current body weight.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
9. I wish I looked better.
Captures the general yearning for an improved physical appearance.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
10. I really like my weight.
Assesses explicit positive affect regarding current body mass.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
11. I wish I looked like someone else.
Probes the degree of physical envy or desire to escape one's own appearance.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
12. People my age like my appearance.
Evaluates perceived peer acceptance and peer-based physical validation.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
13. My appearance upsets me.
Measures acute emotional distress directly triggered by physical appearance.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
14. I am as good-looking as most people.
Assesses self-evaluation relative to an imagined average standard of appearance.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
15. I'm pretty happy with my appearance.
Captures general baseline contentment with overall appearance.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
16. I feel that my weight is right for my height.
Probes the subjective sense of physical proportion and structural appropriateness.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
17. I am ashamed of my appearance.
Evaluates the presence of deep, appearance-based shame.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
18. Weighing myself makes me feel depressed.
Measures the emotional vulnerability and depressive reaction associated with scale feedback.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
19. My weight makes me unhappy.
Assesses the direct contribution of body weight to general unhappiness.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
20. My appearance helps me get dates.
Probes the perceived role of physical attractiveness in romantic or dating success.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
21. I worry about my appearance.
Captures the level of anxiety and repetitive concern focused on appearance.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
22. I think I have a beautiful body.
Evaluates a holistic positive appraisal of the physical body.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
23. I look the way I'd like to look.
Measures the alignment between actual self-perception and physical ideals.
- Never
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always