Men are catching up with women in one area. They too are feeling the pressure to achieve perfect bodies, and this can lead them down unhealthy paths. The following findings challenge that myth that men aren't affected by the media or other's comments towards their bodies. Men are affected by those pressures in the media or the pressures that others put on them to look more muscular. For some men, this can lead to unhealthy and potentially dangerous behaviours to try to reach that ideal. Previous research has linked the sexual objectification of women in society to disordered eating behaviours among women. During the last three decades, however, men's bodies have also become increasingly objectified in the media. A study showed that men who were exposed to ads that included a more muscular male image later expressed more dissatisfaction with their own bodies than those exposed to neutral ads. Men see these idealised, muscular men in the media and feel their own bodies don't measure up. Researchers from Ohio State University, USA, investigated the relationship between the pressure to become more muscular and men's adoption of certain behaviours. For her study, 285 male students completed various surveys about the pressure to be muscular and it's ramifications. On a scale that ranged from 'never' to 'always', the study participants reported that they 'often' felt pressure to be muscular. They 'often' or 'usually' internalised the muscular images presented by the media i.e. believed that the only desirable shape is the highly muscular body type. They were also 'often' or 'usually' dissatisfied about their bodies. These college men also reported that they 'sometimes' engaged in maladaptive behaviours. Men who were dissatisfied with their muscularity, for example, were likely to be more preoccupied about becoming more muscular, which led to their use of supplements and possibly anabolic steroid use as well, to achieve that muscular image. Dissatisfaction with their level of body fat predicted a higher preoccupation with counting calories and cutting off certain food groups. Because the idealised muscular body image is rooted in society, with men thinking they're expected to look a certain way, it can lead to negative behaviour. Instead of pressuring men to be more muscular, we need to accept men's bodies for what they are and instead focus on internal characteristics. It is important to stop focusing on appearance, for both men and women.
American Psychological Association,
August 2006