Masculinity, drive for Muscularity and eating concerns in Men

Western society promotes a culture of appearance both for males and females, although dieting and the drive for thinness are more typical female concerns. In contrast, men desire a larger body with more muscle instead of low weight. For this reason, this study aims to determine whether men who endorse a strong male identity (i.e. have a high score in a masculinity scale) report a higher drive for muscularity and less eating concerns than individuals who score low in a masculinity scale. Data obtained from 624 male students revealed that participants with high scores in a masculinity scale reported a greater drive for muscularity and less eating concerns than individuals with low scores. Finally, it is discussed whether masculinity may be considered as a protective factor to not develop eating disorders and, at the same time, a risk factor to develop problems related with muscle dysmorphia.