Body image and body change methods in adolescent boys. Role of parents, friends and the media.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines sociocultural influences affecting both body image and body change methods in adolescent boys.


METHODS
Twenty boys in grade 7 (aged 12-13) and twenty boys in grade 9 (aged 14-15) were individually interviewed. The influence of parents, siblings, friends and the media on both body image and body change methods was evaluated.


RESULTS
For approximately a third of the boys, parents, siblings, friends and the media were perceived to have at least some influence over boys' feelings about their bodies and body change methods. In particular, feedback from mothers and female friends were viewed as having a positive impact on boys' body image whereas feed-back from fathers and male friends was viewed as more important in influencing body change methods. The media was also viewed as contributing to boys' body satisfaction but it was seen to encourage greater exercise to alter body size and shape.


CONCLUSIONS
The differences and similarities between the sociocultural messages received by males and females are discussed. The implication of these findings in fostering better health among adolescent males are explored.
Ricciardelli
L A
LA
School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Melbourne, Australia. lina@deakin.edu.au
McCabe
M P
MP
Banfield
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001824:Body Constitution; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D010290:Parents; D010379:Peer Group; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011627:Puberty / Q000523:psychology*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D014739:Victoria