In comparison, women and gay men face more pressure to conform to one specific body type. You can be a pretty big guy with a beer belly and not be looked down upon. While body image as an issue for men is becoming more a part of the public consciousness, the problem hasn't reached the level it has for women. The ideal male body image has existed for a long time, but many men still feel free of its associated pressure, including engineering senior Jason Bone. I ignore it.
Body image is an issue that is gaining recognition as crossing gender lines.
Almost one half of American women and one quarter of American men are on a diet on any given day. Almost half of American elementary school students between first and third grade want to be thinner.