Analysis of Sociocultural Stereotypes Towards thin Body and Muscular Body: Differences According to Sex and Weight Discrepancy // Análisis de los estereotipos socioculturales hacia cuerpo delgado y cuerpo musculoso: Diferencias en función del sexo y discrepancia con el peso

Abstract

The purpose of this study is twofold. First, to adapt and validate a two-factor model of the Body Change Inventory to the Spanish context, which measures orientation towards thin body and orientation towards muscular body. The second objective is to analyse sociocultural stereotypes towards thinness and muscularity according to sex variable combined with the weight discrepancy variable. The sample was composed of 1,022 students (488 girls and 534 boys) between 9 and 12-years old (women: M = 10.41, SD = .66, males: M = 10.47, SD = .68). The psychometric properties of the scale are evaluated through different analyses, allowing it to be considered a valid and reliable instrument. The variance analysis results show that both girls and boys have the intention of losing weight in search of the thin body ideal, while more men are pursuing a muscular body, regardless of whether they intend to lose, gain or maintain weight.