Male body image problems are real — and they're really complicated.
Written by CCTC Staff Writer
It’s just about common knowledge that many women struggle with body dissatisfaction — some have so much difficulty accepting their bodies that they turn to destructive behaviors to change their appearance. But male body image is a problem as well. Adolescent males, in a world of saturated imagery defining what the “perfect image” looks like, also suffer with negative body image. Many will not speak out, and this is due, in part, to the unique difficulties that come with being a male in a world where toxic masculinity encourages people to suppress their emotions, and “fix everything” themselves.
Keep reading to learn more about:
Different aspects of body image that males struggle with (it's more than the size of their muscles)
Well known factors that contribute to male body dissatisfaction
How male body image issues differ from female body image issues
Famous figures who have spoken out about their experiences with fat-shaming, stress and anxiety induced disordered eating, and full blown eating disorders
How to tell if a teen male faces body image issues
What males can do to improve body image
How to ask for help with body image, body dysmorphia, and eating disorders
Note: When we are talking about "males," we are talking about anyone who identifies as male or is masculine presenting. The same standard is applied to the term "female."
Body dissatisfaction goes deeper than muscles.
Media outlets that do shine a light on male body image problems focus mostly on muscle dysmorphia. While feelings of inadequacy about muscle development are common, they’re not the only source of body dissatisfaction for males, especially teen males.
Overwhelmingly, males who appear to have less body fat are considered more masculine and attractive to their peers. This is because body fat is more associated with and acceptable for women.
Males are now expected to be both skinnier and retain muscle mass. They are revered for low levels of body fat.
Many males feel self conscious about their skin. But they may also feel unable to use makeup to cover up imperfections, whereas females wearing makeup is widely accepted.
Males overwhelmingly fear, experience, and try to prevent or reverse greying hair and/or hair loss. While women more frequently color their hair, wear extensions, or don wigs, males simply feel they have less options. Those who do take action feel shame and don't talk about their experiences.
There's also a (hopefully dying out) long-standing "trend" or association with tall men and attractiveness. Many women want to date men who are tall, or at least taller than them. If you are a relatively short man, it's difficult to live in a world where some view you as lesser and not feel inadequate.
Underlying Causes of Adult and Teen Body Image Problems for Males
Competitive Sports
While the problematic nature of aesthetic sports such as ballet and gymnastics is being brought to attention, there is less focus on the pressure to look and perform a certain way on more "male dominated" sports.
Wrestlers and bodybuilders in particular are under a lot of pressure to meet weight requirements, including weight cutting and bulking up. These requirements push many athletes towards body image issues and eating disorder behaviors, including hyper awareness of their body and an intense focus on food.
Related: Want to know more about the relationship between eating disorders and competitive sports? Click here.
Cultural Expectations
An interesting study focused on the differences between body satisfaction in males from eastern and western cultures. It was found that men from Taiwan have higher levels of body satisfaction than men in western cultures. It was suggested that this result is because men in Taiwan are appreciated more for their accomplishments than their bodies, and that their media sources do not focus as heavily on body image.
Our western cultures place such high value on mens’ appearance that — if you are a male who does not “fit the mold” — you will naturally feel “of lesser value”.
Media (Mis)representation
The standard is set by media outlets, which are increasingly showing men shaped like action figures, with small waists and large chests and absolutely “shredded” muscles.
On social media, especially, so many males are selling themselves as wellness influencers and fitness gurus. Social media’s plentiful imagery of people who all have the same body composition, without users even explicitly searching for them, is enough to make the average teen male, or adult male, feel less than average.
Actors and models, of course, have “superhero bodies,” referring to the physiques of unrealistic bodies of characters like G.I. Joe and Marvel comic book superheroes.
All of these instances of misrepresenting the male body combine to create a culture of unrealistic expectations. Females are starting to rally against this culture that is designed specifically to make you hate your body. But men are less likely to speak out against these unrealistic expectations, so men don’t often hear that these images are not the standard.
Prevalent Toxic Masculinity
Of course, there are stereotypes of how males should look and act. These stereotypes are continued and strengthened over generations of men. Toxic masculinity, for many, shows up internally, in a male’s peers, in romantic relationships, advertising, and society in general.
While masculinity is valuable to some and a crucial part of their identity to others, toxic masculinity shuns any “feminine” features (i.e. body fat or lack of visible muscle mass). It is also not acceptable, in the realm of toxic masculinity, to share your feelings about body dissatisfaction — or feelings in general.
Gender Expression and Sexuality
Many trans males feel the need to over-exaggerate their masculinity to feel validated and accepted by the world as male. They may also want to get rid of features that are associated with their sex assigned at birth. If they fail to live up to the standards of masculinity, they may resent their bodies.
Men who identify as gay unique challenges: They want to date men who look like the figures they see on the media. At the same time, many gay men believe that no one who looks like those men would want them, so they also grow to resent their bodies.
And, unfortunately, some heterosexual males (or gay men who have not yet come out) are so entrenched in homophobic spaces that they fear being perceived as gay (which, to them, means feminine), and therefore place great importance on how their bodies look.
Do males experience different difficulties with body image than females?
Men, especially men with "strong, silent type" role models, are "not supposed to talk about their feelings." In many households, friend groups, and social gatherings in general, being vulnerable is not normal — not accepted, even. Females, on the other hand, have historically been more open about their struggles, so much so that talking about them is much easier than it is for men.
Men and teen boys are also expected by their peers and by society in general to be "fixers." In the eyes of many, they are supposed to be able to handle anything, often on their own. It's been more normalized for females, to ask for help. While females often struggle with admitting that they're not perfect, it's more socially acceptable at this point than it is for men.
We know this because we all know how "shocking and rare" it is for influential men to come forward and tell their stories.
But influential men have started to tell their stories.
These big names include:
Zayn Malik, Former Member of One Direction and Successful Solo Artist
Christopher Eccelsten, Dr. Who
Mike Marjama, Former Major League Baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners
Chris Pratt, most well known for his role in Guardians of the Galaxy
In the press (and, for Eccelsten, in his book), these men have stepped forward to speak on this critical issue. They have all done so to tell other men and boys suffering that they're not alone. This alone, they hope, will push others towards getting help.
How can you tell if you or someone else has body image issues?
Someone may be struggling with negative body image if they:
Spend a lot of time looking in the mirror or feeling body parts (also known as body checking)
Spend a lot of money on creams, supplements, or unnecessary medical procedures to change appearance
Talk about or start “crash diets” to “look better”
Exercise excessively to change their appearance
Related: If your teen suffers from an eating disorder, they may not be willing to go to formal eating disorder treatment. Here’s how to help a resistant teen get the help they need.
What should males do about body dissatisfaction and/or an eating disorder?
1. Recognize that you are not alone in your struggle.
You are a valid human being, with a real problem, one that you are not alone with. You don't need to be confined to outdated ideas of what it means to "be a man."
You deserve to improve your body image, and to ask for help if and when you need it.
2. Talk about your body image issues. Be vulnerable.
Find someone nonjudgmental and trustworthy to talk about your struggles with.
Related: Maintaining supportive relationships is an important part of taking care of yourself. These are more self-care practices to improve your everyday life.
3. Remind yourself that you are more than a body.
While loving your body is extremely challenging, accepting your body is a good first step. Focus on what your body can do for you, and focus on your other interests and accomplishments.
It will help you remove the value that you and others have placed on your appearance.
4. Seek help if and when you need it.
If negative body image is affecting your day-to-day life, mental space, eating patterns and/or exercise habits, it’s time to ask for help.
It’s normal to feel ashamed or afraid to speak up about your issues, especially because body image and eating disorder treatment is so geared towards women.
But you deserve to live a life where you accept your body for what it is, without feeling the need to change it.
If you or a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder, take the first step today and talk to someone about recovery or simply learn more about the holistic eating disorder recovery programs we offer.