Body Dissatisfaction and Eating Disorders in a Sample of Gay and Bisexual Men

Abstract

Men’s body image issues have a number of manifestations and gay men are at particular risk for body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. This study sought to examine body image and disordered eating as they relate to demographics, conceptions of masculinity, external motivations for fitness, and internalized homophobia in a sample of New York City gay and bisexual men. Higher body dissatisfaction scores were associated with external motivations for working out and older age. Eating disorder scores were positively correlated with more frequent and longer exercise sessions, and states of anxiety, depression, ambivalence, and concerns about the perceptions of others, all in regard to a gay or bisexual orientation. Findings are discussed with implications for researchers and health care providers.