Adolescents’ health is a major concern to all members of society. Studies show that body image concerns and severe dieting practices are detrimental to women’s health. After reviewing literature the researcher learnt that males in growing numbers are also being influenced to attain an ‘ideal’ body image. This phenomenon was unknown to the researcher since the latter had the false perception that body image concerns were exclusively female preoccupations. This instigated the researcher to explore into the Maltese adolescent male body image concerns and his dieting practices.

The study investigated the relation between males’ body image concerns and dieting practices with reference to media influences, peer influence and the adolescents’ self-esteem. This research gives an insight on what type of ‘ideal’ body image males would like to achieve. A sample of 295 male adolescents completed a questionnaire, which dealt with body satisfaction, body image concerns and their dieting practices. Interviews were conducted amongst eight, 18 year old adolescents. Interviews gave an insight on the adolescents’ ideal body images and their body preferences. Three different age groups were purposively used to identify whether age determined how adolescents perceived their body and their dieting practices.

Analyses indicated that pressures on men to look perfect are very much mingled in the present male culture. Results also suggest that the adolescents’ need for acceptance is as strong as biological drives since the researcher noticed that adolescents did get influenced by their mates as regards their concerns about body and dieting practices. Moreover, a flat, lean stomach, with defined, toned muscles and a low body fat percentage are salient in various media messages that once were only aimed to women. Analyses show that males in growing numbers are very self-conscious about the way they look and are struggling to achieve an unrealistic bodily perfection. Males are no special case and they also can be afflicted with biopsychosociological pressures.

As a consequence to these findings the researcher suggested that the youth worker together with other professional bodies should safeguard the young persons’ health through different strategies.

Diploma in Youth Studies
May 2004