Body weight dissatisfaction among cisgender men,transgender men,and gender-diverse AMAB individuals in Switzerland: The influence of health behaviors and social media

Abstract

Body weight dissatisfaction (BWD) in men remains understudied, particularly with regard to the roles of male gender identities, sexual attraction, lifestyle factors, and social media use. Addressing this gap is crucial, as BWD is associated with dysfunctional weight-control behaviors, increased obesity risk, and diminished mental well-being. Using data from the 2022 Swiss Health Survey and multinomial logistic regression analysis, we found preliminary indications that identifying as other than a cisgender man, being attracted to men, having a higher body mass index (BMI), reporting a stronger desire to change one’s weight, paying attention to diet, and using social media more frequently were associated with higher odds of BWD. In contrast, more frequent physical activity appeared to be linked to lower odds of BWD, while age showed no relevant association. Findings underscore the complex, identity-specific ways in which body ideals, health behaviors, and social influences may shape male body image.