Disordered Eating Behaviours and Body Image in Male Undergraduate University Students

Abstract

There is a wealth of academic research devoted to the further understanding of eating disorders and body image. However, men are relatively overlooked within this research, and a resulting consequence of this is a lack of understanding surrounding these areas within this population. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between these variables within an all-male sample of undergraduate students. Participants answered questions from the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ). Correlational analyses as well as single sample t-tests were conducted on the data collected from the 28 participants that partook in the study. Data analyses found that statistically significant positive correlations were present in the health orientation, overweight preoccupation, and self-categorised weight MBSRQ subscales. Negative correlations were found in the appearance evaluation and body areas satisfaction subscales. Finally, the real-world implications of the present study’s findings are considered.