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Disordered eating and body image have been widely studied in college students and children. However, few studies have examined body image dissatisfaction in adulthood. Therefore, this study sought to determine the prevalence of body image dissatisfaction in adult men and women. One hundred and thirty-nine adults were surveyed on body dissatisfaction and possible relating factors. It was found that media influence predicted body dissatisfaction in women and that age, family pressure and self-esteem predicted body image dissatisfaction in both men and women. Because adults' views about their bodies can have an impact on those of their children, it is important that researchers continue to examine body image dissatisfaction and comparable issues within adult populations.
Body image dissatisfaction and body distortion are prevalent among today's youth, as evidenced by recent studies examining the relationship between disordered eating and body image in college men and women (Mintz & Kashubeck, 1999) and in the adolescent population (Phelps et al., 1993). In addition, researchers have examined also body dissatisfaction in college populations of both men and women (Vartanian, Giant, & Passino, 2001). Although no one can argue against the need for continued research on adolescent (see Schur, Sanders, & Steiner, 2000) or college populations (see Mintz & Kashubeck), research needs to broaden its spectrum by examining adult populations to determine what influences body image dissatisfaction in adulthood. Below we discuss several factors that research on college students suggests may play a key role in body image dissatisfaction such as gender, self-esteem, media influence, and family pressure (see Abell & Richards, 1996; Gleason, Alexander, & Somers, 2000; Heinberg & Thompson, 1995).
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Body dissatisfaction typically is characterized as an issue faced predominantly by the female population. Research has shown that compared to men, female undergraduates have more negative body image evaluations, stronger investments in their looks, and more frequent body image dysphoria (Muth & Cash, 1997). In contrast, other studies have found no gender differences in body attitudes (Wilcox, 1997), which may relate to a recent increase in body image dissatisfaction in males (Cash, 1997; Raudenbush & Zellner, 1997), as men are now complaining about being "too skinny" as well as being "too fat" (Muth & Cash). In addition, a recent study examining body satisfaction in college men and...