Differences in the Perception of Body Image between Menand Women

Overview

The study examined sex differences in satisfaction with body weight and body shape, dieting andperceptions of the current, ideal and the most attractive body image. The sample consisted of 50male and 50 female undergraduates of Palacky University in Olomouc. The concern with bodyimage, weight and dieting was greater in women than men. In women, the average current weightwas more than 2 kg higher than the ideal weight. In men, the current and the ideal weight werealmost identical. In women, the ideal body image was significantly thinner than the actual one. Inmen, there was no significant difference between their current and ideal figure. Women thinkthat men like women thinner than men report. Using of figure drawings for estimating bodyimage proved satisfactory.

Key words:
anorexia, bulimia, body weight, body image.