"For every ten-fifteen females diagnosed with an eating disorder twenty years ago, there was one male—but now that gap has closed significantly, with one male for every four females. Health professionals are less likely to properly diagnose symptoms in males. Also, males increasingly resort to excessive exercise, plastic surgery, and steroids" (Pompper, Soto, and Piel 2007).
WOMEN AREN'T THE ONLY ONES AFFECTED
Most studies dealing with the media's effect on body image have targeted women. However, as more and more men become culprits of the magazine's wrath on their beauty ideals, researchers have started to inculde them in their studies as well. In the past, researchers were mainly concerned with the eating disorders that resulted from body dissatisfaction; and, these eating disorders were prevalent in women. More recent research has shown, however, that many men suffer from eating disorders as well, just of a different kind. This eating disorder has been dubbed Muscle Dysmorphia and consists of men believing themselves to be smaller than they actually are (Grieve and Helmick, 2008). This can lead to many problems just as in bulimia and anorexia.
MODELS DETERMINING BODY SATISFACTION
It's also important to note the models that account for the measurements of body satisfaction. The most widely accepted model used for women is the SC model. This model is applied with two other variables (Body Mass Index and exposure to relevant content) when assessing body satisfaction (Jonason, Krcmar, & Sohn, 2009). In a recent study conducted by Peter K Jonason, Marina Krcmar, and Steve Sohn from New Mexico State University, Wake Forest University, and University of Louisville respectively, evidence was found to support the theory that the typical model for women has limitations when being applied to men. Jonason, Krcmar, and Sohn distributed a survey to 206 male students in a communication class at a large NE college in the US. Once the surveys were completed and turned in, their answers were computed into averages. The average BMI was calculated (to see how, click here and view the English model), exposure to the male beauty ideal as muscular was assessed, and how often the participants compared themselves to others was determined. The results from this study suggest that there are two different paths that may occur when determining a man's body image. The first route comes directly from their body size. The other is from BMI viewed through exposure to beauty ideals with pressure from the social world. "This suggests that for men, the actual size of their body has a limited effect on their body satisfaction. BMI appears to be a means by which some men self-select to be exposed to content containing the muscular ideal" (Jonason, Krcmar, and Sohn, 2009, p. 628).
Considering that when assessing a woman's body satisfaction, BMI is always a significant determining factor, and that BMI is not always an issue for a man, another model must be used to determine a man's satisfaction with their body. What are these models then? As of now, little research has been completed to successfully assess just how males form their own body image. With time though, a reasonable answer should arise.
Pompper, D., Soto, J., & Piel, L. (2007). MALE BODY IMAGE AND MAGAZINE STANDARDS: CONSIDERING DIMENSIONS OF AGE AND ETHNICITY. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 84(3), 525-545. Retrieved from Communication & Mass Media Complete database.
Grieve, Rick; Helmick, Adrienne. (2008, September 22). The influence of men's self-objectification on the drive for muscularity: self-esteem, body satisfaction and muscle dysmorphia The Free Library. (2008). Retrieved April 01, 2010 from [[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The influence of men's self-objectification on the drive for...-a0189486241]]
Jonason, P, Krcmar, M, & Sohn, S. (2009). Male body image: the role of muscle magazine. SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND PERSONALITY, 37(5), 627-630.
Magazines' Effects on Male Body Image
"For every ten-fifteen females diagnosed with an eating disorder twenty years ago, there was one male—but now that gap has closed significantly, with one male for every four females. Health professionals are less likely to properly diagnose symptoms in males. Also, males increasingly resort to excessive exercise, plastic surgery, and steroids" (Pompper, Soto, and Piel 2007).
WOMEN AREN'T THE ONLY ONES AFFECTED
Most studies dealing with the media's effect on body image have targeted women. However, as more and more men become culprits of the magazine's wrath on their beauty ideals, researchers have started to inculde them in their studies as well. In the past, researchers were mainly concerned with the eating disorders that resulted from body dissatisfaction; and, these eating disorders were prevalent in women. More recent research has shown, however, that many men suffer from eating disorders as well, just of a different kind. This eating disorder has been dubbed Muscle Dysmorphia and consists of men believing themselves to be smaller than they actually are (Grieve and Helmick, 2008). This can lead to many problems just as in bulimia and anorexia.MODELS DETERMINING BODY SATISFACTION
It's also important to note the models that account for the measurements of body satisfaction. The most widely accepted model used for women is the SC model. This model is applied with two other variables (Body Mass Index and exposure to relevant content) when assessing body satisfaction (Jonason, Krcmar, & Sohn, 2009). In a recent study conducted by Peter K Jonason, Marina Krcmar, and Steve Sohn from New Mexico State University, Wake Forest University, and University of Louisville respectively, evidence was found to support the theory that the typical model for women has limitations when being applied to men. Jonason, Krcmar, and Sohn distributed a survey to 206 male students in a communication class at a large NE college in the US. Once the surveys were completed and turned in, their answers were computed into averages. The average BMI was calculated (to see how, click here and view the English model), exposure to the male beauty ideal as muscular was assessed, and how often the participants compared themselves to others was determined. The results from this study suggest that there are two different paths that may occur when determining a man's body image. The first route comes directly from their body size. The other is from BMI viewed through exposure to beauty ideals with pressure from the social world. "This suggests that for men, the actual size of their body has a limited effect on their body satisfaction. BMI appears to be a means by which some men self-select to be exposed to content containing the muscular ideal" (Jonason, Krcmar, and Sohn, 2009, p. 628).Considering that when assessing a woman's body satisfaction, BMI is always a significant determining factor, and that BMI is not always an issue for a man, another model must be used to determine a man's satisfaction with their body. What are these models then? As of now, little research has been completed to successfully assess just how males form their own body image. With time though, a reasonable answer should arise.
Content
1. Magazines and Body Image (Home)
2. How magazines affect men
3. Worldview: how cultural beauty ideals differ
Sources