Development and Testing of a Real Time Virtual Reality Body Avatar Creation and Body Appreciation Experience for Young Adults

Body image has a profound impact on overall wellbeing and quality of life. In this paper, we presented a pilot study of a virtual reality program of a real time 3D body avatar creation and appreciation experience. We present a method that allows participants to alter an avatar with different body shapes, skin tones and hair in real time until they believe it looks like them, then paint parts of the avatar that they appreciate for various reasons. Through a pre and post survey, we have found the average learning outcome measures for the VR group showed a more promising trend increase in testing scores compared to the control workshop group. However, the body appreciation scale measured in both the VR experience and the workshop group showed a very limited improvement after one session and requires further research in the area. Majority of the participants feel positive about the VR experience. The real time 3D avatar alternation method presented has the potential to be used for player embodiment, body appreciation and body image education to improve body image.