Body Image Dissatisfaction in Homosexual and Heterosexual Males

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 and a heightened pursuit of thinness may place homosexual men at an increased risk for developing eating disorders.

Abstract

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.