Sex differences in the relationships between body dissatisfaction, quality of life and psychological distress

Abstract

Background: Body dissatisfaction is associated with impairment in women's quality of life (QoL). To date, research has not examined the relationship between body dissatisfaction and men's QoL, or sex differences in this relationship. Methods: A community sample of 966 males and 1,031 females living in Australia provided information about their body dissatisfaction, mental health and physical health-related QoL, and eating disorder symptoms. Data were analysed using three hierarchical multiple regressions and interactions between body dissatisfaction and sex were examined. Results: For both sexes, increasing levels of body dissatisfaction were associated with poorer mental and physical health..