The Ideal Gay Body: Factors Associated with a Drive for Muscularity Among Gay and Bisexual Men

Background and Purpose: Evidence suggests that gay and bisexual men (GBM) report higher rates of body dissatisfaction (BD), when compared with heterosexual men (Russell & Keel, 2002; Yelland & Tiggemann, 2003). This BD often manifests as a desire for increased muscularity (Kaminski, Chapman, Haynes, & Own, 2005). Factors associated with BD include internalized homonegativity (IH; Siever, 1994; Swearingen, 2006), disordered eating symptomology (DES) and a history of childhood physical/sexual abuse (CPSA; Feldman & Meyer, 2007), however some of this previous literature has been limited by small, mostly White samples. This study sought to add to this knowledge by examining the association between a drive for muscularity, CPSA, DES, IH and race, HIV status, education, substance use and sexual risk among a racially diverse sample of GBM.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from GBM attending the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Festival in Toronto in June, 2008. The main outcome was a score on the Drive for Muscularity Sub-Scale (DMS) of the Male Eating Behavior and Body image Evaluation (MEBBIE; Kaminski et al., 2005) which was α = .90 in this sample. Variables included race (White/Black/Asian/Mixed-Other), education (no/some college education), DES (EAT-26; α = .88; Garner, Olmstead, Bohr, & & Garfinkel, 1982), STI diagnosis (ever), frequency of alcohol/illicit drug use before/during sex over the last three months, frequency of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in past six months, IH (Bell & Weinberg, 1978; α = .88), and history of CPSA (yes/no). Multivariate regression analysis was used to predict the relationship between the independent variables and DMS.

Results: 510 men participated; 43.6% were men of color and the mean age was 34 years (SD = 12). Most (81%) had some post-secondary education and identified as exclusively homosexual (87%). Positive HIV status was reported by 12.7%; unknown status was 6.7%. One-third of the sample reported ever having an STI. DES was reported by 14.4%. UAI was reported by slightly less than 50% of participants. CSA was reported by 38.7% and childhood physical abuse (CPA) was reported by 36.2%. The mean score on the DMS scale was 41.38, SD = 14.69, range 15-90.

Multiple regression analysis of the predictor variables on the DMS found that the model accounted for 11% of the variance (p < .0001). DES (p=.001), Asian identity (compared to White identity; p<.05), STI diagnosis (p<.05), increased frequency of UAI (p<.05) and increased IH (p<.0001) were associated with higher DMS scores.

Conclusions and Implications: Among GBM, a drive for muscularity seems to be associated with DES, sexual risk and IH. Asian-identified men may feel a pressure to conform to the dominant White GBM culture and body image ideals. Although a drive for muscularity may be conceptualized as an important part of self care, the DMS examines strong beliefs and potentially harmful behavior. In order to advance greater health and well-being among GBM, further research is needed to understand the myriad and intersecting effects of the drive for muscularity and IH, race and sexual risk.