The ideal male body: Perceptions of selected Filipino college students

• Main Authors: Chan, Brian Steven G., Teng, Leslie Kenny C.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2007
• Subjects: Body image in men > Philippines; Physical fitness for men > Philippines; Men > Health and hygiene > Philippines; Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/6404
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study aimed to describe the different perceptions on the ideal Filipino male body image as determined by the Male Heterosexuals, Male Homosexuals and Female Heterosexuals. A total of sixty participants joined the study, with the researchers using an in depth interview to access their perceptions. The participants came from selected private co-ed universities within the metropolis. The interview guide used for this study was an integration of the theory proposed by Muth and Cash (1997) together with Charles Cooley (1902). Results showed that across gender, the participants viewed the ideal male body as tantamount to being lean and low in bodily fats. Their bases for inference regarding the ideal male body were mainly because of mass media, because this was the medium that the participants encountered were a mixture of going to the gym, proper eating habits and exercise.