An Adapted Sociocultural Model of Body Image Concerns and Disordered Eating Among Midlife Men

Abstract

To date, little is known about body image and eating concerns among men in midlife. To bridge this gap in the literature, this study tested an adapted and integrated sociocultural model of body image and eating concerns among men in midlife. A sample of men (N = 213) between the ages of 45 and 60 years living in the United States completed an online survey and reported on sociocultural pressures from media, friends, family and partners, body image in younger years, internalization of a youthful lean and muscular ideal, appearance comparison, sexual objectification, body dissatisfaction, attitudes towards muscularity, drive for leanness and thinness, participation in muscularity-oriented behaviors, and restrictive eating. After modification, the final model revealed good fit to the data. Although not all predicted pathways were supported, overall, interpersonal and media pressures were related to internalization of ideals and appearance comparison. In turn, internalization and comparison were related to higher body dissatisfaction, drive for leanness and muscularity, and engagement in muscularity-oriented behaviors and restrictive eating. Findings support the usefulness of an adapted and integrated sociocultural model of body image and eating concerns in midlife men. The model suggests that the pressures that may increase body image and eating concerns in younger men may also be relevant in midlife men. Findings also highlight the usefulness of considering age-specific body-change behaviors and disordered eating in midlife men.