The aim of the study was to compare body ideals and body dissatisfaction among gay and heterosexual men. Participants (134 gay men, 119 heterosexual men) completed measures of body figure preference ratings varying on adiposity and muscularity, and measures of self-esteem and involvement with the gay community (gay participants only). It was found that both gay and heterosexual men desired to be thinner and more muscular. However, body dissatisfaction (discrepancy between current and ideal figures) was greater for the gay men. For both sexual orientation groups, dissatisfaction with thinness increased with age and was negatively correlated with self-esteem. For gay men, muscularity dissatisfaction was also negatively correlated with self-esteem, but involvement with the gay community was not related to body dissatisfaction. It was concluded that many men (gay and heterosexual alike) experience body dissatisfaction, but that this was somewhat greater for gay men.

Objectification Theory proposes that membership in sexually objectifying Western societies gradually socializes women to adopt an observer's perspective on their physical self. This leads to negative consequences, including body shame and restricted eating behavior. The authors extend this framework to investigate a subgroup of men, namely gay men, who also exist in a subculture that emphasizes and values physical appearance. Study 1 investigated trait differences in self-objectification and body image among gay and heterosexual men. Analyses indicated that gay men scored higher on self-objectification, body shame, body dissatisfaction, and drive for thinness. In Study 2, the authors experimentally manipulated state self-objectification and found that for gay men, increasing state self-objectification resulted in greater body shame and dissatisfaction and more restrained eating. Together, these results offer strong support to Objectification Theory as a useful framework from within which to view the experience of gay men.

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