Abstract
Previous studies have found gender differences in body-related attentional bias (AB), with women showing AB towards weight-related body parts. However, few studies have assessed the relationship between body-related AB and muscularity dissatisfaction (MD) in men. This study aimed to assess the presence of muscle-related AB in men, using a combination of a virtual reality (VR) embodiment-based technique and eye-tracking (ET) technology. Twenty men with high MD and 20 with low MD, owned a virtual avatar that had the same silhouette and body mass index as the participant. To analyze the gaze data, muscle-related areas of interest (M-AOIs) and nonmuscle-related areas of interest (NM-AOIs) were defined. The complete fixation time and the number of fixations on each AOI were recorded. Mixed between (group)-within (AOI_condition) analyses of variance showed a statistically significant interaction between group and time (p < 0.05) in both AB measures. Follow-up analyses revealed an AB towards M-AOIs only in men with high MD. Overall, men with high MD spent more time looking and displayed a higher number of fixations on M-AOIs, specifically the chest and shoulders, compared to men with low MD. This study provides new information about the relationship between MD and body-related AB in men. Combining VR with ET technologies presents interesting opportunities in the study of body image in men.
Highlights
Body image studies have been typically conducted in women, with fewer studies focusing on men
Follow-up analyses were conducted, and mean differences (MD) ± standard error (SE) are specified. These analyses showed that men with high muscularity dissatisfaction (MD) spent significantly more time looking at muscle-related areas of interest (M-areas of interest (AOIs)) and presented a significantly higher number of fixations on M-AOIs than on nonmuscle-related areas of interest (NM-AOIs)
Men with low MD did not show significant differences in attentional bias (AB) between M-AOIs and NM-AOIs. They spent a similar amount of time on M-AOIs and NM-AOIs and presented an equal number of fixations on the two types of areas
Summary
Body image studies have been typically conducted in women, with fewer studies focusing on men. Individuals with body image dissatisfaction usually experience negative and dysfunctional cognitions and emotions (sadness, anger, or disgust) related to the way they perceive, evaluate, and feel about their own body [1,5]. There is consensus that body dissatisfaction in men is mainly associated with two central factors, muscularity and body fat [8,9]. Previous studies have found that the pathological drive for muscularity and body weight concerns among men are related to greater depressive symptomatology, low self-esteem, more physical exercise, and abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids [10,13,14]. Persistent and intense concerns about the lack of muscularity and/or excessive body fat might lead to body image disorders, such as muscle dysmorphia [15]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
