Body dissatisfaction and self-esteem among male college students

The purpose of this study was to examine self-esteem, exposure to the media\u27s portrayal of the ideal male body, and athletic standing of college-aged men in relation to body dissatisfaction. College men (N= 100) were surveyed on these variables. It was hypothesized that males with greater body dissatisfaction would have lower levels of self-esteem. Further, it was expected that males who were more frequently exposed to the body ideal would have higher levels of body dissatisfaction, and that males who do not participate in a college sport would have higher levels of body dissatisfaction than those who do. Results show a significant relationship between body dissatisfaction and self-esteem, such that high levels of body dissatisfaction are associated with low levels of self-esteem. A positive correlation was found between exposure to the media ideal and levels of body dissatisfaction, such that increased exposure was associated with high levels of body dissatisfaction. No significant correlation was found between athletic status and body dissatisfaction. Results of the current study add to previous literature, as well as focus on the college-aged male population