Eating disorder risk and body dissatisfaction based on muscularity and body fat in male university students.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between risk of eating disorders, body dissatisfaction, and perceptual attractiveness in male university students.

Participants: Research was conducted January-April 2012 and involved 339 male and 441 female students.

Methods: Eating disorder risk was assessed with the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and body dissatisfaction and perceptual attractiveness determined with the Bodybuilder Image Grid (BIG).

Results: There was a positive correlation (r=.16, p<.01) between the EAT and fat dissatisfaction and a negative correlation (r=-.14, p<.05) for muscle dissatisfaction, 28% of the males had an EAT score indicating that they were at risk for an eating disorder. Males chose a significantly more muscular and leaner body type than what females chose to be attractive.

Conclusion: College-aged males may be at risk for eating disorders based on distortions in their perceived ideal body image, both for fat and muscle.