Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in androphilic and gynephilic men and women

Abstract

According to the theory of intra-sexual competition for mates, androphilic individuals (i.e., sexually interested in men) are expected to emphasize their physical appearance, and be less satisfied with their bodies, compared to gynephilic individuals (i.e., sexually interested in women). To test this theory against the objectification theory and the minority stress theory of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, we measured body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and body mass index (BMI) in both androphilic and gynephilic men and women in a large population-based sample (N=8007). Compared to gynephilic men, androphilic men were more likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies and display disordered eating. Gynephilic women were more dissatisfied with their bodies compared to androphilic women. Women were, on average, more likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies and display disordered eating compared to men. Theoretical implications of the findings were discussed.