Body image. A Comparative Study between Homosexual and Heterosexual Men
Abstract
A comparative study was carried out between homosexual and heterosexual men, in order to establish differences regarding the evaluation of body image and risky eating behaviors. A design of two samples with independent observations was used. The total non-random sample of N = 32 men with an age range of 20 to 45 years was subdivided with n1 = 11 heterosexual men (M = 28.9, SD = 8.77) and n2 = 21 homosexual men (M = 23.89, SD= 3.77). To evaluate the body image, the Silhouettes Visual Scale was applied, likewise, the Attitude Scale was applied to the Male Body. Also, a survey of sociodemographic data. No significant differences were found between the two samples of participants regarding the perception of body image, both show dissatisfaction, approximately half are perceived with obesity and want to be thinner and more robust (especially in heterosexuals). There is a slight tendency related to a higher percentage of homosexual men who want to be thinner (positive dissatisfaction), compared to that of heterosexual men.
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