Gender, sexuality, body image and eating behaviours

J Health Psychol. 2004 Jul;9(4):505-15. doi: 10.1177/1359105304044034.

Abstract

One hundred and twenty one participants reported sexual orientation, body mass index, body shape concerns, eating motives and eating styles. Measures of body dissatisfaction were greater in heterosexual women and homosexual men (ps <.05), while heterosexual women had smaller (ps <.001) ideal body shapes. Eating weight control motive was lower in heterosexual men compared to women (ps <.05). Restrained eating was lower in heterosexual men compared to heterosexual women or homosexual men (ps <.001). The findings support the role of socially prescribed body shapes on body shape concerns, eating motivations, and eating styles in men and women and suggest impacts are greater for heterosexual women and homosexual men.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Image*
  • Demography
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Female
  • Homosexuality / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology*
  • Somatoform Disorders / epidemiology
  • Somatoform Disorders / psychology