Body image dissatisfaction and distortion, steroid use, and sex differences in college age bodybuilders

Abstract

AbstractCollege age bodybuilders were compared by sex (female, male) and steroid intake (nonuse, use) on two variables: body image dissatisfaction and body image distortion. Results of 2 × 2 ANOVAs (sex by steroid use) revealed only a significant effect for gender on body distortion. No steroid‐use differences were apparent for either body image dissatisfaction or body image distortion. Further analyses indicated that female bodybuilders were equally split between desiring more muscle bulk versus a thinner frame, whereas the majority of male bodybuilders wanted to build more muscle mass. These results are compared to previous research with non‐bodybuilders wherein body image dissatisfaction was unidirectional for females (i.e., all desired slimness) yet bidirectional for males (i.e., some aspired to increased muscle mass whereas others sought a reduction in body fat). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.