title: The association between sexual orientation, susceptibility to social messages and disordered eating in men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Much research points to higher levels of disordered eating and more negative body image in gay and bisexual men than in heterosexual men. The reasons for this difference, however, remain unclear. We hypothesized that disturbed body image and eating attitudes in gay and bisexual men would be partially explained by susceptibility to social messages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and sixty-two men (203 heterosexual, 46 gay and 13 bisexual) between 18 and 35 years of age participated in the study. They completed measures of disordered eating, body image, internalization of attitudes toward appearance, and concern for appropriateness. In addition, they were asked to what extent they were influenced by ten advertisements, four that emphasized physical appearance, and six that did not.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As shown in previous research, gay and bisexual men reported higher levels of disordered eating and dissatisfaction with their bodies than heterosexual men. In addition, the gay and bisexual men were more susceptible than the heterosexual men to social messages, and reported being significantly more influenced than heterosexual men by advertisements focusing on physical appearance, but not by other advertisements. Susceptibility to social messages fully mediated the association between sexual orientation and disordered eating.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results provide support for the hypothesis that sensitivity to social messages about appearance explains, at least partially, the link between sexual orientation and disordered eating in men.
authors.affiliation: MA Program in Clinical Psychology, Ruppin Academic Center, Israel. Electronic address: idogigi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ido
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gigi
authors.affiliation: MA Program in Clinical Psychology, Ruppin Academic Center, Israel; Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bachner-Melman
authors.affiliation: MA Program in Clinical Psychology, Ruppin Academic Center, Israel.
authors.forename: Lilac
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lev-Ari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D020010:Heterosexuality; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Concern for appropriateness; Disordered eating; Gay and bisexual men; Male body image; Sexual orientation; Social influence