Male Body Image in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Qualitative Interview Study

Contemporary literature indicates that the muscular and lean male physique is becoming increasingly idolised, and subsequently, the experience of male body dissatisfaction and eating disorders is increasing. However, there is a lack of research on this topic in Aotearoa New Zealand. The current study explored how males in Aotearoa conceptualise body image and experience body dissatisfaction. Individual interviews were conducted with 15 male university students from Aotearoa, aged between 20 and 31 years old. Five themes were identified using reflexive thematic analysis. Together, the themes highlight the influence of masculinity norms in the context of body image, which subsequently perpetuates stigma and decreased awareness of male body image concerns. Further, the negative impact of Western beauty standards on body image for indigenous and minoritised cultures in Aotearoa is illustrated. The research implications are subsequently discussed.