Scale Description

The Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is a tool designed to assess an individual’s positive attitude and appreciation toward their body. The scale measures respect for the body, body acceptance despite its flaws, self-esteem that is independent of body shape or weight, and the willingness to engage in healthy behaviors for the body’s well-being.

Analysis and Data Usage

The scale is used to assess the extent to which a person appreciates their body and maintains a positive attitude toward it. Responses to 13 questions are rated on a five-point scale (1 = Never, 2 = Seldom, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Often, 5 = Always). Higher scores indicate greater body appreciation and more positive body attitudes.

Purpose

The main purpose of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is to measure an individual’s healthy attitude towards their body and identify areas where intervention might be needed to improve body image and self-esteem. The scale also helps evaluate the impact of intervention strategies aimed at promoting a positive body image.

Scoring

The scale is scored based on responses to the questions on the five-point scale mentioned above. Scores range from 13 (low body appreciation) to 39 (high body appreciation). The scales and indicators have been subjected to psychometric evaluation to confirm their validity and reliability.

References

Avalos, L., Tylka, T.L., & Wood-Barcalow, N. (2005). “The Body Appreciation Scale: Development and psychometric evaluation.” Body Image, 2, 285-297.
Avalos, L.C., & Tylka, T.L. (2006). “Exploring a model of intuitive eating with college women.” Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53, 486–497.
Tylka, T.L., & Wood-Barcalow, N. (2015). “The Body Appreciation Scale-2: Item refinement and psychometric evaluation.” Body Image, 12, 53–67.
Tylka, T.L. (2011a). “Positive psychology perspectives on body image.” In T.F. Cash & L. Smolak (Eds.), Body Image: A Handbook of Science, Practice, and Prevention (2nd ed., pp. 56–64). New York: Guilford Press.
Tylka, T.L. (2011b). “Refinement of the tripartite influence model for men: Dual body image pathways to body change behaviors.” Body Image, 8, 199–207.
Tylka, T.L. (2013). “Evidence for the Body Appreciation Scale’s measurement equivalence/invariance between U.S. college women and men.” Body Image, 10, 415–418.
Tylka, T.L., & Augustus-Horvath, C.L. (2011). “Fighting self-objectification in prevention and intervention contexts.” In R.M. Calogero, S. Tantleff-Dunn & J.K. Thompson (Eds.), Self-Objectification in Women: Causes, Consequences, and Counteractions (pp. 187–214). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Tylka, T.L., Bergeron, D., & Schwartz, J.P. (2005). “Development and psychometric evaluation of the Male Body Attitudes Scale (MBAS).” Body Image, 2, 161–175.
Tylka, T.L., & Kroon Van Diest, A.M. (2013). “The Intuitive Eating Scale-2: Item refinement and psychometric evaluation with college women and men.” Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60, 137–153.