Body image distress in boys and men — and why it's so often missed

When we picture someone struggling with how they look, we tend to picture a teenage girl. That picture leaves a lot of people out. Boys and men experience body-image distress too — and because it often shows up differently and is rarely talked about, it is easy to miss.

What our team's research has looked at

Dr Beth O'Gorman's research has examined how men and boys experience dissatisfaction with their bodies — including preoccupation with muscularity and leanness, the social pressures men face about appearance and weight, and, importantly, why men so rarely raise these concerns out loud.

What it points to

A consistent theme across this work is that male body-image concerns are real, can be distressing, and are under-recognised — partly because talking about them does not fit the way many boys and men are expected to speak about themselves. Concerns can surface instead as rigid exercise, changes around food, or preoccupation with a particular feature. In its more severe form, preoccupation with not being lean or muscular enough is a recognised presentation of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) known as muscle dysmorphia.

What this means for families

If a boy or young man seems consumed by his appearance, weight or muscularity — checking, comparing, training or eating in ways that are taking over — it is worth an assessment, even if he plays it down. These concerns respond to evidence-based psychological treatment, and being asked about them directly, without judgement, is often the first relief.

Reference O'Gorman, B., Sheffield, J., Clarke, R., & Griffiths, S. (2019). "Guys don't talk about their bodies": A qualitative investigation of male body dissatisfaction and sociocultural influences. Clinical Psychologist. https://doi.org/10.1111/cp.12198

Authored by Dr Beth O'Gorman, Clinical Psychologist, The Moore Centre.

This article is general clinical information and does not constitute personal clinical advice. For assessment and treatment, please make an enquiry.