Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Adolescent Boys and Body Image: Weight and Muscularity Concerns as Dual Pathways to Body Dissatisfaction

  • Published:
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This research evaluated a dual pathway model for body dissatisfaction among adolescent boys. The study provides empirical support for the importance of distinguishing between weight and muscularity concerns in understanding male body image. A total of 128 boys from grades 8 and 11 completed a self-report questionnaire. Results indicated that weight and muscularity concerns each made unique contributions to body dissatisfaction and were associated with distinct individual and peer context characteristics. Weight concern was associated with elevated BMI and more frequent appearance conversations with friends. Muscularity concern was significantly greater among boys who reported more frequent muscle-building conversations, had lower BMI, and were older. The results support the importance of distinguishing between and assessing both muscularity and weight concerns in the development of body image dissatisfaction among adolescent boys.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cohane, G. H., and Pope, H. G., Jr. (2001). Body image in boys: A review of the literature. Int. J. Eat. Disord. 29: 373–379.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, S., and Launder, C. (2000). Investigating muscularity concerns in male body image: Development of the Swansea Muscularity Attitudes Questionnaire. Int. J. Eat. Disord. 28: 120–124.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Field, A. E., Camargo, C. A., Taylor, C. B., Berkey, C. S., Roberts, S. B., and Colditz, G. A. (2001). Peer, parent, and media influences on the development of weight concerns and frequent dieting among preadolescent and adolescent girls and boys. Pediatrics 107: 54–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, E., Dunn, M., Thompson, J. K. (2002). Social comparison and body image: An investigation of body comparison processes using multidimensional scaling. J. Soc. Clin. Psychol. 21: 566–579.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franzoi, S. L., and Shields, S. S. (1984). The body esteem scale: Multidimensional structure and sex differences in a college population. J. Pers. Assess. 48: 173–178.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garner, D. M., Olmstead, M. P., and Polivy, J. (1983). Development and validation of a multidimensional eating disorder inventory for anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Int. J. Eat. Disord. 2: 15–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, D. C. (2004). Body image among adolescent girls and boys: A longitudinal study. Dev. Psychol. 40: 823–835

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, D. C., Vigfusdottir, T. H., and Lee, Y. (2004). Body image and the appearance culture among adolescent girls and boys: An examination of friend conversations, peer criticism, appearance magazines, and the internalization of appearance ideals. J. Adolesc. Res. 19: 323–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Labre, M. P. (2002). Adolescent boys and the muscular male body ideal. J. Adolesc. Health 30: 233–242.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leit, R. A., Gray, J. J., and Pope, H. G. (2001). Cultural expectations of muscularity in men: The evolution of playgirl centerfolds. Int. J. Eat. Disord. 29: 90–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewinsohn, P. M., Seeley, J. R., Moerk, K. C., and Striegel-Moore, R. H. (2002). Gender differences in eating disorder symptoms in young adults. Int. J. Eat. Disord. 32: 426–440.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCabe, M. P., and Ricciardelli, L. A. (2001). Parent, peer, and media influences on body image and strategies to both increase and decrease body size among adolescent boys and girls. Adolescence 36: 225–240.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCreary, D. R., and Sasse, D. K. (2000). An exploration of the drive for muscularity in adolescent boys and girls. J. Am. Coll. Health 48: 297–304.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCreary, D. R., Sasse, D. K., Saucier, D. M., and Dorsch, K. D. (2004). Measuring the Drive for Muscularity: Factorial validity of the Drive for Muscularity Scale in men and women. J. Am. Coll. Health 48: 297–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neumark-Sztainer, D., Story, M., Falkner, N. H., Beuhring, T., and Resnick, M. D. (1999). Sociodemographic and personal characteristics of adolescents engaged in weight loss and weight/muscle gain behaviors: Who is doing what? Prev. Med. 28: 40–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Neumark-Sztainer, D., Story, M., Hannan, P. J., and Croll, J. (2002). Overweight status andeating patterns among adolescents: Where do youths stand in comparison with the Healthy People 2010 Objectives? Am. J. Public Health 92: 844–851.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ogden, C. L., Flegal, K. M., Carroll, M. D., and Johnson, C. L. (2002). Prevalence and trends in overweight among US children and adolescents, 1999–2000. JAMA 288: 1728–1732.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olivardia, R., Pope, H. G., and Hudson, J. I. (2000). Muscle dysmorphia in male weightlifters: A case-control study. Am. J. Psychiatr. 157: 1291–1296.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paxton, S. J., Wertheim, E. H., Gibbons, K., Szmukler, G. I., Hillier, L., and Petrovich, J. L. (1991). Body image satisfaction, dieting beliefs, and weight loss behaviors in adolescent girls and boys. J. Youth Adolesc. 20: 361–379.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pingitore, R., Spring, B., and Garfield, D. (1997). Gender differences in body satisfaction. Obes. Res. 5: 402–409.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pope, H. G., Gruber, A. J, Choi, P., Olivardia, R., and Phillips, K. A. (1997). Muscle dysmorphia: An underrecognized form of body dysmorphic disorder. Psychosomatics 38: 548–557.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pope, H. G., Olivardia, R., Gruber, A., and Borowiecki, J. (1999). Evolving ideals of male body image as seen through action toys. Int. J. Eat. Disord. 26: 65–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rauste-vonWright, M. (1989). Body image satisfaction in adolescent girls and boys: A longitudinal study. J. Youth Adolesc. 18: 71–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricciardelli, L. A., and McCabe, M. P. (2001). Self-esteem and negative affect as moderators of sociocultural influences on body dissatisfaction, strategies to decrease weight, and strategies to increase muscles among adolescent boys and girls. Sex Roles 44: 189–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricciardelli, L. A., and McCabe, M. P. (2003). Sociocultural and individual influences on musclegain and weight loss strategies among adolescent boys and girls. Psychol. Schools 40: 209–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricciardelli, L. A., McCabe, M. P., Holt, K. E., and Finemore, J. (2003). A biopsychosocial model for understanding body image and body change strategies among children. Appl. Dev. Psychol. 24: 475–495.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricciardelli, L. A., and McCabe, M. P. (2004). A biopsychosocial model of disordered eating and the pursuit of muscularity in adolescent boys. Psychologic. Bull. 130: 179–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smolak, L., Levine, M. P., and Thompson, J. K. (2001). The use of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire with middle school boys and girls. Int. J. Eat. Disord. 29: 216–223.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stice, E., and Whitenton, K. (2002). Risk factors for body dissatisfaction in adolescent girls: A longitudinal investigation. Dev. Psychol. 38: 669–678.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tabachnick, B. G., and Fidell, L. S. (1996). Using Multivariate Statistics (3rd edn.). HarperCollins, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, J. K., Heinberg, L. J., Altabe, M., and Tantleff-Dunn, S. (1999). Exacting beauty: Theory, assessment, and treatment of body image disturbances. American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiggemann, M., and Williamson, S. (2000). The effect of exercise on body satisfaction and self-esteem as a function of gender and age. Sex Roles 43: 119–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wertheim, E. H., Koerner, J., and Paxton, S. J. (2001). Longitudinal predictors of restrictive eating and bulimic tendencies in three different grade groups of adolescent girls. J. Youth Adolesc. 30: 69–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, Box No. 353600, 98195-3600

    Diane Carlson Jones (Associate Professor)

  2. Human Development and Cognition area of Educational Psychology, University of Washington, Washington

    Joy K. Crawford (Doctoral Candidate)

Authors
  1. Diane Carlson Jones
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joy K. Crawford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Diane Carlson Jones.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jones, D.C., Crawford, J.K. Adolescent Boys and Body Image: Weight and Muscularity Concerns as Dual Pathways to Body Dissatisfaction. J Youth Adolescence 34, 629–636 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-005-8951-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-005-8951-3

Key Words

Search

Navigation