Half of men struggle with body image issues
CALM and Instagram undercovers worrying stats about male perceptions on how they look, and why they feel the need to have a "perfect body"
Last updated 28th Apr 2021
New research has found 48% of men's mental health has suffered because of how they feel about their body.
An investigation from suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and Instagram, has investigated how 16-40 year olds feel about their appearance.
The results reveal how Generation Z and Millennial men have been impacted by the pandemic, and how societal pressures in gerneral make them feel about themselves.
How has the pandemic changed the way men feel about their body image?
The results, from 2000 men aged 16-40, showed one in two (58%) have felt negatively about their body as a result of the pandemic.
Examining the causes of body image concerns in young men, the research found over a third (39%) feel pressure to have a “perfect body” and half cite mainstream media, social platforms or celebrity culture as the main sources of body ideals, with over half (54%) agreeing those body types are not representative of men in everyday life.
Edward Shaw, who is originally from Wigan is one of the thousands of people who himself has had to deal with anxieties around his body image.
He said: "Just because I don't gym every single day doesn't mean I'm not attractive or that my body isn't good."
"I need to be happy with my body in a way which I take responsibility for rather than comparing that to someone who has a body which realistically I will not achieve because I do not have a strict regime or just schedule."
"Instead of looking at people who clearly spend a minimum four days in a gym, we need to look at what's realistic for ourselves. I think that's something that needs to be reflected and talked about more."
"There's such a focus on looking the best being the best having a six pack it gets pushed towards everyone all the time."
"I know for me I have a stereotypical rugby body and I know that when I look at myself in the mirror, I don't see myself as really attractive. I kind of see myself as a work in progress."
Is social media part of the problem or part of the solution?
While half of those surveyed agreed social platforms are part of the reason they feel the need to have a "perfect body, there are also movements online that celebrate body positivity, offer advice for self care or share mtivational messages.
BUT the research found hashtags like #bodypositivity and #selflove reveals a gender divide and lack of male voice in the conversation.
Three in five (60%) say they either follow or would like to follow social media accounts that promote positive male body image, with Jack Black, Joe Wicks and Anthony Joshua all named as examples.
The Body Talks campaign
The research found only a quarter (26%) of Gen Z and millennial men feel happy with how they currently look, and a fifth (21%) revealed they don't feel comfortable talking to anyone about it. So to encourage more men to open up, CALM and Instagram have teamed up to launch CALM Body Talks, a series of interviews with famous faces from the world of comedy, TV and sport to get more men talking about their bodies.
WATCH: CALM CEO Simon Gunning discusses the findings with Senior Correspondent Mick Coyle
Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM said: "Body image worries affect people of all genders, body types and backgrounds. And the conversation is much deeper than just weight or body shape. The worries are complex, and can have a significant impact on people’s mental wellbeing. We know that men can often feel disengaged or excluded from the conversation of body positivity because of unhelpful stereotypes. So, like with so many of our campaigns, our partnership with Instagram aims to challenge stereotypes of masculinity and open up a new conversation for men and the communities and people around them.
It's totally normal to worry about whatever strange things you spot in the mirror but it is important to get help if these worries begin to affect your mental wellbeing. As a suicide prevention organisation we know how important it is to talk about everyday worries and tackle them head on. We hope this campaign will be the start of a new conversation that leads more men to seek the support they need.”
Celebrity Support
The launch of Body Talks is supported by Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing, Comedian Russell Kane and former footballer Leon McKenzie, who are all sharing their stories about body image to encourage other men to speak out.
Visit the CALM website for more information on Body Talks and to get more information about the mental health support and resources they can offer.