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Behavioral and psychological implications of body dissatisfaction: Do men and women differ?

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Abstract

The relationships of body satisfaction, self-esteem, dieting, and exercise were studied in 92 men and women. Men and women did not differ in degree of body dissatisfaction as assessed by three different measures. However, on the direction of body dissatisfaction, men were as likely to want to be heavier as thinner, whereas virtually no women wished to be heavier. Although overall body esteem was correlated with self-esteem for both men and women, measures of weight dissatisfaction were not associated with self-esteem for women. The normative nature of weight dissatisfaction for women today may serve to buffer its effects on self-esteem. Women reported exercising for weight control more than men, and exercising for weight control was associated with disregulated eating.

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Silberstein, L.R., Striegel-Moore, R.H., Timko, C. et al. Behavioral and psychological implications of body dissatisfaction: Do men and women differ?. Sex Roles 19, 219–232 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290156

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