“Hate Your Current Body, But Not Yourself”: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Dieting Behaviors, Body Ideals and Self-Criticism Among Queer Men Through Online Forums

Research has highlighted gay men as a population who experience disproportionate eating and body-related issues comparatively to straight men. Exploring experiences of eating and body-related issues by gay men in relation to self-compassion and self-criticism provided novel insight. Internet-mediated research (IMR) was used to explore attitudes to and experiences of eating, body image and dieting among gay men. Data were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic analysis, utilizing the reflexivity and subjectivity of the researcher to produce the overall themes. Three overall themes were conceptualized, the first theme "Perfection or rejection" reflected pressures to attain a "fit" body type by the queer community, and how this translated to a lack of body acceptance. The second theme "Hate your current body, but not yourself" explored how participants perceived self-criticism as "positive" in relation to weight loss. The third theme "Better to be hungry than overeat," demonstrated participants engagement in problematic dieting behaviors and how participants suggested these practices to others, despite discussing the impact on their overall wellbeing. Findings help to provide insight into gay men's attitudes toward their bodies, and weight loss practices through the lens of self-compassion and self-criticism.