Body Satisfaction in Gym-active Males: An Exploration of Sexuality, Gender, and Narcissism

Abstract

This study compared 80 gay and straight Australian males on self report measures of body satisfaction, masculinity, femininity, narcissism, and reasons for exercising at gyms to explore factors related to excessive exercise. Gay males are less satisfied with their bodies compared to straight males. Improving appearance was more important for gay men, while fun was considered more important for straight men. Only sexual orientation and masculinity contributed independently to body satisfaction. Straight males who scored high on masculinity were most satisfied with their bodies, while gay males who scored low on masculinity were least satisfied with their bodies, irrespective of femininity and narcissism. Hours exercising per week and fun as a reason for exercising, significantly contributed to body satisfaction.

The Turkish Version of the Grandiose Narcissism Scale: A Validity and Reliability Study of Football Team Fans

“…Davis, (1992) stated that narcissistic individuals are extreme exercise addicts, because they increase their self-esteem by exercising. Brown and Graham, (2008) found that narcissism influenced sexual preferences and body satisfaction in a study of gay men and normal men actively engaged in bodybuilding.…”

Modeling the propagation of the consumption of two emergent businesses: Fitness Practice and Plastic Surgery

“…Other driver related to the development of M D is the intention of men to increase their attractiveness to other men or women; what according to previous studies (Brown and Graham, 2008;Chaney, 2008), may lead homosexuals to higher rates of gym practice. Furthermore, according to Pompper (2010), men are afraid of being feminine, and as consequence the concept of masculinity influences the shape of the men.…”

“…a The influence of personal experiences during childhood (bullying) (Wolke and Sapouna, 2008;Boyda and Shevlin, 2011), also looking for improving their sexappeal (Brown and Graham, 2008;Chaney, 2008;Pompper, 2010) or rebuilding their personal life after a divorce or being deprived of a person (Duato and Jódar, 2013), defined by α e .…”

“…α e1 : Estimated as the proportion 9.06% (INE, 2011) of Spanish people aged in the interval [18,25], (5%) of them are non-competitive bodybuilders, and have lower level of self-esteem as consequence of their past experiences such as a childhood trauma (4%) (Wolke and Sapouna, 2008), or they search for improving their physical attractiveness (8%), (Hönekopp et al, 2007;Brown and Graham, 2008;Pompper, 2010;Varangis, et al, 2012) but also other causes 1% (emotional drawbacks). In all cases the individuals are pushed to the fitness practice.…”

“…In all cases the individuals are pushed to the fitness practice. Then, α e1 is weighted as [26,40], that are non-competitive bodybuilders (5%), and experience any of the following status: divorce (35%), childhood trauma (4%) (Wolke and Sapouna, 2008), or they look for improving their physical attractiveness (8%), (Hönekopp, et al, 2007;Brown and Graham, 2008;Pompper, 2010;Varangis, et al, 2012). Also other causes 1% (emotional drawbacks).…”