The male body image is a topic you will hear more about in the future. Just like female models on the runway are getting thinner, male models are also getting thinner and more muscular. Boys are feeling pressure to look like the images they see in the media, sometimes leading to dangerous consequences.
Media
What is the perfect male body? If you watch TV or read magazines, it's clear what is considered an ideal body for a man. A lean body with lots of muscles that make you look "cut" or "ripped" — and that's what is described as attractive. A small waist and broad shoulders, creating a V-shaped body and you have the ideal male body.
Where are our boys getting these ideas from? Although there is almost no research on this issue, some researchers are looking at the messages our boys are receiving. The male body is being used more often to sell products -– products that are often unrelated to the body or self-care.
Our young boys are even exposed to more unrealistic images of what a "man's" body is supposed to look like. In the past 20 years, action figures like GI Joe have become more muscular and their muscles more defined. This has gone to the extent that if the action figures were real people, no one could have a similar proportion! If you look at any magazine, the male body is idealized and just like the female body, it is edited and altered to look as attractive as possible. From TV, magazines to beloved toys, our boys have a hard time escaping the images deemed to have the perfect body.
Different Cultures
Are our media and culture really to blame? It seems so. An article in the Harvard University Gazette examined the differences in body image in Western men (United States and Europe) compared to men from Asian countries. It was found that men in Taiwan are more satisfied with their bodies and use fewer muscle-enhancing drugs compared to men in the West. The article suggests that Taiwanese culture values men for their intellectual and cultural achievements, not just their bodies. Additionally, unlike in the US, there are no Taiwanese fitness or bodybuilding magazines.
Meaning that if men are valued for things other than attractiveness, and they are not shown unattainable ideal body images, they may have a more accepting view of their bodies.
Even if your son seems unconcerned about his appearance or displays behaviors you are concerned about, you can be sure he has at least thought about his body image. A 2016 study in Australia on children aged 12 to 18 showed that nearly 50% of these adolescents admitted to worrying about their appearance.
Body Image of Boys vs Girls
Whether boys or girls are more dissatisfied with their body image, no one knows for sure. What we do know is that there is evidence showing that boys and men are starting to feel pressure to have a "perfect body." A study found that men are significantly dissatisfied with their bodies, perceiving themselves as having more fat than they actually do. Surprisingly, although they think they are "fat" than they actually are, the men in the study perceived themselves as more muscular than they actually are.
Another study showed that men are also dissatisfied with their body weight like women. Most women are dissatisfied with their weight because they feel they are too heavy. Men were evenly split into two camps. One group felt they were overweight. The other group felt they were underweight. This study shows that men face two pressures - the pressure to be thin and the pressure to build large muscles.
It is still unclear who is more dissatisfied with their body or if the male body image is deteriorating. Studies are pointing in both directions, especially as the consequences of poor body image in men are increasing - eating disorders in men and body image disorders in men.
Social Media
Outside of the school environment and television programs, social media has added a completely new way for adolescents to be exposed to ideal body images while becoming more concerned about their own appearance. For example, a negative comment about a teenager's appearance reacting to an update can have a significant impact.
A study examining the impact of social media on body image shows that specific problematic areas include viewing and uploading photos and seeking negative feedback through status updates for both girls and boys.
Consequences of Expectations
Men are spending more time, money, and energy to look "good." They are spending more money on cologne, facial skincare products, hair care products, hair replacements, and even cosmetic surgery. If your son is using more cologne, it may be a healthy grooming habit. If your child is talking about dieting or fat removal, there may be more issues.
A large study looked at male body satisfaction and how it relates to depression, eating disorders, use of supplements, and low self-esteem. It's not surprising that men who are dissatisfied with their bodies have higher rates of depression and eating disorders. Dissatisfied men have used more supplements such as non-prescription supplements or muscle-building drugs and have lower self-esteem. The results of the study reflect what seems to be common sense. If someone has a poor body image, they may take steps to change their body, even if it means restricting food to dangerous levels or using potentially harmful substances.
When to Worry
It is estimated that about 10% of those receiving help for eating disorders are men, but some believe this number is too low.
If your son seems concerned about his appearance, restricts what he eats, uses supplements, or exercises excessively, it's time to discuss body image with him.
If you feel their behaviors may be harmful, discuss your concerns with a pediatrician. The doctor can help you address this difficult issue or refer you to a specialist who can help.
Learn the facts and figures about the use of muscle-enhancing drugs in adolescents in the United States and how to determine if your son may be using supplements as many parents are unaware that their teens are using these substances.