Body dissatisfaction, muscle dysmorphia, eating disorder and self-esteem in Spanish men of different sexual orientations

Abstract In the 21st century there has been a considerable increase in research on body image, although men, and especially those who belong to sexual minority groups have been given little attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of suffering clinical body image concerns in the form of eating disorders, muscle dysmorphia and low self-esteem for one’s sexual orientation, using a cross-sectional design and an online survey. The convenience sample was made up of 182 men (43.4% gay, 33% heterosexual, 18.7% bisexual, and 4.9% asexual), with a mean age of 33.88 years old (SD = 11.59). The results showed that body dissatisfaction was positively correlated to eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia and negatively correlated to self-esteem and age. The participants’ sexual orientation was related to: (1) body image concerns and self-esteem (controlling by age); and (2) the risk of developing relevant body image concerns and eating disorders. Men in sexual minorities appear to have more body image concerns and eating disorders.