Male Body Practices

Abstract

The pressure on boys and men to engage in extensive body practices (e.g., closely monitored eating and exercise habits) and achieve ideal male bodies has grown significantly over the past 20 years. Central to the depiction of ideal male bodies and body practices are both the pursuit and achievement of lean and well-defined muscles. The labels “pitches,” “purchases,” and “performativities” were inductively derived from the literature, and used to describe the multifaceted connections between masculinities, muscularity, and idealized male body practices. “Pitches” distil how popular culture posture norms of masculinity, and manly bodies and behaviors attainable and necessary. “Purchases” refer to men’s diverse buy-in to dominant discourses about acceptable male bodies and practices. “Performativities” chronicle how men embody and navigate gender norms as they evaluate their own bodies, behaviors, and eating habits and those of their peers. Based on findings from the current scoping review, future research could benefit from fully linking masculinities with the drive for muscularity to address health and social risks associated with the pursuit of the idealized male body. In highlighting the plurality of masculinities and the complexity of men’s diverse identities, health care providers can better reach and support men. Focusing on, and celebrating, a wider range of male bodies could help recenter dominant discourses about how and whose bodies and experiences are idealized. The current scoping review article offers an overview of how masculinities and muscularity have been linked to male body practices, and recommendations to advance this emergent field.

A mixed-methods study of the health-related masculine values among young Canadian men.

“…Based on these consensus building processes we suggest that the men's endorsement of well-being in the current study must be cautiously interpreted. For example, the body aesthetic items (a man should stay in good shape, and a man should care about his appearance) might also reflect emergent body image issues among young men (Lefkowich, Oliffe, Hurd-Clarke, & Hannan-Leith, 2017). Nonetheless, while the current study suggests looking well yields significant masculine capital, this finding offers a much needed empirically informed departure from claims about most men's estrangement from, limited interest in, and lack of responsibility for, their well-being.…”

Preliminary Efficacy and Acceptability of an Online Exercise and Nutrition Workplace Wellness Program: A Brief Report

“…Another possible solution could include adding a social support component (e.g., a buddy system) which has been shown to increase engagement in healthbased programs (Arigo et al, 2019). Finally, given that the ideal male body image is commonly portrayed as muscular and lean (Lefkowich et al, 2017), advertising future WWPs as an opportunity to increase muscle mass while also losing bodyfat may encourage more men to join.…”

Media images and the gendered representation of chefs

“…Moreover, the depiction of male chefs with their arms crossed and with more neutral facial expressions could be seen as a way of symbolising that professional knowledge and skill are linked to traditional masculine chef roles (Johnston et al, 2014). Having one's arms crossed is also a protectivedefensive stance by male chefs to show that they are the "ruler" of the kitchen (Lefkowich, Oliffe, Hurd Clarke, & Hannan-Leith, 2017). Similarly, the majority of the male chefs' images were portrait poses taken in or outside of commercial establishments.…”