It's estimated that between 30% and 40% of men are anxious about their weight and that up to 85% are dissatisfied with their muscularity. Many men desire a lean and muscular physique – which is often seen as synonymous with masculinity.
Other studies found higher levels of body dissatisfaction (28) and lower levels of satisfaction with certain body areas (29) in women than in men.
Poor body image is not just a female issue - many men are also dissatisfied with their body image. Poor body image in men can be linked to dieting, excessive exercising, eating disorders and steroid misuse.
Figures from the mental health organisation Beyond Blue shows that just over a quarter of young Australian males and even more females aren't happy with the way they look. More on: Australia. Health.
Gender: Research consistently reports that girls and women experience body dissatisfaction more frequently than boys and men. However, more inclusive research shows that males and those who identify as male are also vulnerable to body dissatisfaction at similar rates to females and those who identify as females.
“Men usually worry about their stomach or abs, just like women, but they can also have insecurities about being underweight,” therapist Katie Leikam says.
The results highlighted that: One in five adults (20%) felt shame, just over one-third (34%) felt down or low, and 19% felt disgusted by their body image in the last year. Among teenagers, 37% felt upset, and 31% felt ashamed about their body image.
Females: Over 30% of females are personally concerned about their body image. Males: 15.4% saying they are concern but fair more concerned with Physical health. 41.5% of Australian Girls Say they are Concerned with their Body Image.
Body shaming can occur against any gender, and the statistics are alarming. A survey by the Obesity Action Coalition reported that 58% of high school boys and 63% of high school girls medically classified as overweight experienced daily bullying about the size or shape of their bodies.
It affects one in 50 people, and despite public perception of body image issues predominantly impacting women, BDD is just as common in males as in females.
“We just have different wiring and different hormonal statuses that impact our wiring. The greater tendency to experience those things—anxiety and depression—often feeds insecurity. We may be more sensitive to reading what other people are thinking or not thinking about us than men.”
The Chapman University study analyzed reports from more than 100,000 men across five national studies and discovered that up to 40 percent of men were dissatisfied with their overall physical appearance, weight, and/or muscle tone and size.
One study reports that at age thirteen, 53% of American girls are “unhappy with their bodies.” This grows to 78% by the time girls reach seventeen. When asked “Are you happy with your body?” 43.2% of teens answered “yes,” 37.7% of women in their 60s answered “yes”.
Top hourglass body shape
Considered to be the most attractive body shape, this is very similar to hourglass body shape, except that in this case the curves are more defined.
It's estimated that between 30% and 40% of men are anxious about their weight and that up to 85% are dissatisfied with their muscularity.
This is reflected in our survey, where just over one-third of adults said they felt anxious (34%) or depressed (35%) because of their body image, and just over one in eight (13%) experienced suicidal thoughts or feelings because of concerns about their body image.
Research has shown that for young children, attitudes about body shape and size may start as early as three or four years old. This trend continues into adolescence, with one Mental Health Foundation survey finding that among young people aged 13–19, 35% said their body image causes them to 'often' or 'always' worry.
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
The average Australian woman was 161.8 cm tall and weighed 71.1 kg. On average, Australians are growing taller and heavier over time.
Authentic hair and beauty in Australia
Aussies are also raised to be sun smart, but instead of seeking a pale complexion, their beauty ideal is a safe, glowing tan achieved by an outdoorsy lifestyle coupled with the very best of sun protection. Needless to say, Australian women are also experts on after-sun care.
Hourglass frames
Hourglass silhouettes are coveted in beauty magazines and pop culture, but it's actually the least common body shape.
As mentioned before in Perett's book, In Your Face: The New Science of Human Attraction, women show a stronger attraction toward men with a figure consistent with the ideal hunting physique: strong shoulders, narrow waists, and broad chests and shoulders.
Women tend to prefer men with fit, athletic bodies.
Men, on the other hand, prefer leaner and more muscular physiques. Most men liked the look of defined abs.