The “body positivity” movement has gained traction in recent years, supporting the idea of loving the body you’re in. However, this movement has largely left men out of the picture, as body image has largely been thought of as a “women’s issue.” Men now more than ever are looking to join the conversation on body positivity, especially in how it relates to self-esteem and well-being. This article will explore what body positivity is and thoughts from the male perspective.
What Is Body Image?
Your body image is how you think and feel about your body. You may relate your body image to your weight, size, shape, or maybe even how a specific body part functions. For some people, their self-image and physical appearance don’t quite match up.
Body image can be viewed in both a positive and negative light, and your thoughts can change over time. Many are influenced by what society tells us our bodies should look like. Television, social media, movies, and the health industry all praise the “ideal image and body.” But it’s rarely the case that men and women live up to these nearly impossible standards.
How Does Negative Body Image Affect Males?
When you think of the “ideal body” for women, you likely think of being tall, thin, or some other desirable quality. But for men, body image mostly focuses on leanness and muscularity. Several studies have found that around 1 in 4 high school-aged males want more defined muscles or to gain muscle mass. Other reports show these feelings continue into adulthood.
According to the Better Health Channel from Australia, a negative body image can come from many places:
- Children and teenagers may be teased or bullied by their peers for their appearance or weight
- Well-meaning (but sometimes harmful) messaging from doctors and public health authorities encouraging people to lose weight
- Peer pressure and ideals that boys and men should be “strong” or “tough”
A negative body image can also begin impacting mental health. In the United Kingdom (UK), a survey of 4,505 males by the Mental Health Foundation showed that 28% of participants had experienced anxiety when thinking about their body image. Another 21% had changed how they dressed to hide certain body parts.
What Behaviors Can a Negative Body Image Encourage?
Have you ever looked in the mirror and wanted to change something about your body? It’s common to have these thoughts, but acting on them in harmful ways can be dangerous. Below are some unhealthy behaviors that can accompany a negative body image:
- Taking steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs to alter your appearance, such as reducing body fat or promoting muscle growth
- Participating in binge eating
- Trying to compensate for eating too much food, such as taking laxatives, diuretics (water pills), or forcing yourself to vomit
- Exercising too much
- Following an overly restrictive or fad diet, such as excessive fasting, counting calories, or eliminating entire food groups that are otherwise nutritious
What Is Body Positivity?
In an interview with Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, Susan Albers, PsyD, says this, “In a larger context, body positivity is a social movement that advocates for the acceptance of all bodies, regardless of size, shape, skin tone, gender, or physical abilities. The central concept is the idea that beauty is constructed by society and should not determine someone’s self-worth or value.”
Some people subscribe to a school of thought known as “body neutrality,” rather than body positivity. Neutrality sits between positivity and negativity — it teaches you to accept and respect your body. The main focus of body neutrality is to look at how well your body functions without loving or hating it. Along the same lines, your value as a person isn’t tied to your body or appearance.
How Can Males Practice Body Positivity or Body Neutrality?
It can be difficult to practice body positivity after years of viewing your self-image in a negative light. Fortunately, many health experts have come together to offer strategies. Studies also show that body positivity isn’t just for females — males can also be influenced by positive images and messages.
The first step in your body positivity journey is to think about experiences and influences that have shaped how you view yourself. Identifying these factors can help you pinpoint negative thoughts and emotions so you can change them into neutral or positive ones. Other ways to practice body positivity include:
- Moving your body in ways that you enjoy or bring happiness rather than exercising to achieve a certain look
- Fueling your body with food for nourishment, and avoiding using it as a reward or punishment
- Focus your thoughts on how your body functions and what it helps you accomplish rather than how it looks
- Think about health or body image messaging you see in the media and view it with a critical eye
