The Role of Masculinity and Weight Stigma in Men's Body Dissatisfaction

Weight- and body-related issues are underrecognized and undertreated for men. An emerging literature suggests that weight stigma is associated with men's body dissatisfaction. Across separate studies, masculine norms and beliefs about manhood are also associated with body dissatisfaction in men. Both constructs (masculinity, weight stigma) are likely important for men's body image, but the relative contribution of each has never been examined in concert. This study examines relationships among masculinity, weight stigma, and body dissatisfaction in men and whether these relationships differ among heterosexual and sexual minority men. In a U.S. census-matched sample of cisgender men (N = 1,032), participants completed measures assessing conformity to masculine norms, precarious manhood beliefs, experienced weight stigma, internalized weight bias, and body dissatisfaction. Internalized weight bias and men's dissatisfaction with body fat were highly correlated, suggesting strong overlap. Masculinity and weight stigma were associated with men's dissatisfaction with body fat and muscularity. Masculinity was also associated with dissatisfaction with body fat and muscularity among all men, but weight stigma was only associated with body dissatisfaction among heterosexual men, not among sexual minority men. Findings suggest that both masculinity and weight stigma are important for men's body dissatisfaction and underscore the need to include men in further weight stigma research. Intersectional work examining masculinity, weight stigma, and body dissatisfaction is also warranted to further understand these relationships as a function of sexual orientation.