Research shows differences in body dissatisfaction between bisexual and gay men | Nottingham Trent University
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Research shows differences in body dissatisfaction between bisexual and gay men

Bisexual men are less motivated to be lean and show lower dissatisfaction with their muscularity compared to gay men, according to research by psychologists at Nottingham Trent University.

    Gay men show a higher drive for muscularity

    More than 370 gay, bisexual, and straight cisgender white men were questioned on their motivation to alter their leanness and muscularity, as well as (dis)satisfaction with body fat, muscularity, height, penis size, and functionality appreciation (how much they appreciate their body’s capabilities).

    Findings showed that bisexual men experience different body image concerns to gay men, with a significantly lower drive for leanness and lower muscularity dissatisfaction - which is more comparable to straight men.

    However, other body image concerns showed no significant difference with similar levels of dissatisfaction with body fat, height and penis size. Likewise, while bisexual and gay men may exhibit differences in their dissatisfaction with their muscularity, both experience similar motivations to achieve a muscular physique.

    Dr Liam Cahill, lead researcher and lecturer in LGBTQ+ Psychology in NTU’s School of Social Sciences, said: “Society has different expectations for women and men, with a preference for men to be muscular or lean with low body fat. This study suggests that media and cultural emphasis on muscular, lean physiques influence all men in some way, regardless of sexuality.

    “However, when it comes to increased pressure and dissatisfaction related to muscularity, previous studies have found that gay men's stronger preference for muscular partners may contribute to their higher levels. This is a pressure that bisexual men may only experience when they are integrated with the gay community, hence their dissatisfaction is lower.

    “Traditionally, bisexual men have been grouped in the same category as gay men when it comes to body image research. We argue that this should not be the case as our findings show that they are unique in how they experience differences in their body image.”

    Tackling bisexual erasure: An explorative comparison of bisexual, gay and straight cisgender men’s body image by Dr Liam Cahill, Dr Mohammed Malik, Dr Beth Jones, Dr Treshi-Marie Perera, and Professor Daragh McDermott has been published in the journal Body Image.

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      About Nottingham Trent University

      Nottingham Trent University (NTU) received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2021 for cultural heritage science research. It is the second time that NTU has been bestowed the honour of receiving a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its research, the first being in 2015 for leading-edge research on the safety and security of global citizens.

      The Research Excellence Framework (2021) classed 83% of NTU’s research activity as either world-leading or internationally excellent. 86% of NTU’s research impact was assessed to be either world-leading or internationally excellent.

      NTU was awarded The Times and The Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2023 and ranked University of the Year in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023. It was awarded Outstanding Support for Students 2020 (Times Higher Education Awards), University of the Year 2019 (Guardian University Awards, UK Social Mobility Awards), Modern University of the Year 2018 (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide) and University of the Year 2017 (Times Higher Education Awards).

      NTU is the 5th largest UK institution by student numbers, with approximately 40,000 students and more than 4,400 staff located across five campuses. It has an international student population of 7,000 and an NTU community representing over 160 countries.

      Since 2000, NTU has invested £570 million in tools, technology, buildings and facilities.

      NTU is in the UK’s top 10 for number of applications and ranked first for accepted offers (2021 UCAS UG acceptance data). It is also among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and was the first UK university to sign the Social Mobility Pledge.

      NTU is ranked the second most sustainable university in the world in the 2022 UI Green Metric University World Rankings (out of more than 900 participating universities).

    Published on 12 September 2024
    • Category: Press office; Research; School of Social Sciences