Body image dissatisfaction in homosexual and heterosexual males.
A nonclinical sample of 43 homosexual and 32 heterosexual men completed two self-report inventories regarding weight, body satisfaction, eating attitudes, and behaviors. Subjects were also asked to select their current and ideal figures, the weight they felt would be most attractive to a potential partner, and the weight to which they would be most attracted in a potential partner from figures representing very thin to very heavy physiques. Heterosexual men were significantly heavier than homosexual men and desired a significantly heavier ideal weight. Although the current and ideal physiques selected by the homosexual and heterosexual men were almost identical, homosexual men were more likely to desire an underweight ideal. A heightened pursuit of thinness may place homosexual men at an increased risk for developing eating disorders.
Herzog
D B
DB
Eating Disorders Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
Newman
K L
KL
Warshaw
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011386:Projective Techniques; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013008:Somatotypes; D013851:Thinness