Body Image Project Reveals What The 'Ideal Men's Body' Looks Like Around The World

What The 'Ideal Men's Body' Looks Like Around The World
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If you think it's just women who are subject to body image ideals you are very much mistaken.

Around the world men are also put under pressure to conform to their society's beauty standards.

To prove it, Superdrug Online Doctor asked 19 graphic designers around the world - 11 women and eight men - to photoshop the image of one man to represent what they believed would be seen as attractive in their country.

A New York photographer named Rich courageously provided his self-portrait for the series.

"Our goal with this project is to fuel a revolution: to spark real change about body image, to empower people to prioritise health above appearance, and to promote body confidence around the world," the website reads.

Superdrug commissioned a similar piece looking into female beauty standards last year.

Open Image Modal

In order to attain a true snapshot of male attractiveness standards across cultures, the researchers gave the graphic designers minimal instructions.

In Australia, the man maintained his shape for the most part, in the UK he got a slimmed-down body, and in the US he got a chiselled physique.

The Spanish artist maintained his light skin tone and the Hong Kong designer narrowed his face. Meanwhile the Russian designer gave him a golden mane and the Serbian designer drew a half-sleeve tattoo.

Open Image Modal

Commenting on the project, Denise Hatton, chief executive of YMCA England, a founding partner of the Be Real campaign for body confidence, said: "Superdrug’s second 'Perceptions of Perfection' report shines a much-needed light on the pressures men across the globe face regarding body image.

"Men suffer equally with women around low body confidence as many strive to attain a standard of 'attractiveness' that is both often unobtainable and, as this report shows, driven by cultural perceptions and advertising ideals.

"Our own research found that 40% of men in the UK felt pressure from television and magazines to have a 'perfect' body and this has negative effects on how they view themselves and others.

"We hope this report helps to empower men to place their physical and mental health above appearance to ensure we become a nation where body confidence is, in fact, the cultural norm."

Visit onlinedoctor.superdrug.com for more health information.