Body image is often seen as an issue that solely affects women, with an entire global movement devoted to female body positivity. Companies such as Dove, Aerie and Always have launched campaigns towards empowering women and promoting self-love. However, despite the belief that body image is a gender-specific issue, millions of men also struggle with this daily.
More than 1 in 4 men and male youth report having anxiety about their physique, particularly regarding overall muscularity. This body dissatisfaction has been shown to lead to unhealthy behaviours such as excessive exercising, extreme dieting, and even steroid abuse. These behaviours are concerning due to their impact on various aspects of physical health, in addition to being risk factors for the development of an eating disorder. Concerns surrounding body image can also impact mental health. Alarmingly, more than 1 in 10 men have experienced suicidal thoughts due to body image issues and 4% have deliberately harmed themselves as a result.
Society has led us to believe that the perfect man is one with large biceps and ripped abs as is constantly displayed all over TV shows, movies, advertisements and social media. Even from a young age, boys are constantly shown imagery of the male “ideal” through comic books and action figures. Just as Barbie has influenced the way women view their body, G.I. Joe has done the same for men. Additionally, there is significant peer pressure among adolescent boys to look and behave a certain way, as physical strength and muscles supposedly determine your worthiness as a man.
This kind of toxic masculinity has been hammered into men from a young age. The reality is that muscles do not make the man. As a woman, there are many traits that I find make a man who they are beyond their physicality. Confidence, sensitivity, integrity and self-awareness are just a few that go beyond surface level appearance, proving that biceps and abs do not make a good man. So why is it so important to look like the Chris Hemsworths and Dwayne Johnsons of the world?
Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and body image still exists. After years of being told that discussing body image and emotions of any kind are feminine issues, men avoid reaching out for help. This shame has become deeply embedded in society as a result and will take effort to change.
How can we improve body image in men?
There are multiple ways in which we can improve body image in men, both as a society and within ourselves. Here is a list of a few to get you started:
- Talk about it – help remove the stigma surrounding masculinity, emotions and body image by making these conversations more common place.
- Adjust your social media sites to only show content that will promote body positivity and self-love. If any posts make you feel bad about your self-image, get rid of them!
- Shift your focus from how your body looks to how it functions and all that it helps you do every day (ex. your body helped you survive a global pandemic!)
- Remind yourself that images in the media aren’t realistic or even accurate – many photos are often photoshopped or edited to achieve a desired look.
- Limit your social media consumption and spend time away from it whenever you can!
- Develop reasons for eating healthy and exercising that aren’t for the sole purpose of changing your body’s appearance. Educate yourself on all of the other benefits (ex. improved sleep, memory and concentration, elevation in mood and reduction of anxiety, etc.).
References
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/body-image-men#where-to-get-help
https://breakbingeeating.com/body-image-statistics/#Body_Image_Statistics_for_Men
https://browngirlmagazine.com/2018/05/men-have-body-image-issues-too-this-is-my-naked-truth/
https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/article/body-image-men-suffer-too
