Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Relationships Between Body Image, Body Composition, Sexual Functioning, and Sexual Satisfaction Among Heterosexual Young Adults

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study investigated the association between body image and body-image self-consciousness on sexual satisfaction, accounting for relationships between body fat and body image, and between sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction, while controlling for relationship satisfaction. Participants were 143, 18–25 year-old Caucasian men and women in heterosexual monogamous relationships, recruited from the University of Guelph and surrounding community in Ontario, Canada. Various domains of body image, body-image self-consciousness, sexual satisfaction and functioning, and relationship satisfaction data were collected by questionnaires. Body fat was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Among men, body image was positively associated with sexual satisfaction, after controlling for relationship satisfaction. Men with greater body fat were more likely to have poorer behavioral and affective body image. Only body image specific to the sexual encounter influenced sexual functioning. Among women, no domain of body image was associated with sexual satisfaction, after controlling for relationship satisfaction. Women with greater body fat were more likely to have poorer affective and sexual-encounter-specific body image. As percent total fat increased, sexual functioning decreased. Our results suggest a complex pattern of relationships exists among body image and body composition constructs and sexual and relationship variable; and that these relationships are not the same for men and women.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Addis, I., Van Den Eeden, S. K., Wassel-Fyr, C. L., Vittinghoff, E., Brown, J. S., & Thom, D. H. (2006). Sexual activity and function in middle-aged and older women. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 107, 755–764.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Akers, A. L., Lynch, C. P., Gold, M. A., Chang, J. C., Doswell, W., Wiesenfeld, H. C., et al. (2009). Exploring the relationship among weight, race, and sexual behaviors among girls. Pediatrics, 124, 913–920.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Albanese, C., Diessel, E., & Genant, H. (2003). Clinical applications of body composition measurements using DXA. Journal of Clinical Densitometry, 6, 75–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Algars, M., Santtila, P., Varjonen, M., Witting, K., Johansson, A., Jern, P., et al. (2009). The adult body: How age, gender, and Body Mass Index are related to body image. Journal of Aging Health, 21, 1112–1132.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ard, J. D., Greene, L. F., Malpede, C. Z., & Jefferson, W. K. (2007). Association between body image disparity and culturally specific factors that affect weight in Black and White women. Ethnicity and Disease, 17, 22–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aubrey, J. S. (2006). Effects of sexually objectifying media on self-objectification and body surveillance in undergraduates: Results of a 2-year panel study. Journal of Communication, 56, 366–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bajos, N., Wellings, K., Laborde, C., & Moreau, C. (2010). Sexuality and obesity, a gender perspective: Results from French national random probability survey of sexual behaviours. British Medical Journal, 340, c2573.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Banfield, S. S., & McCabe, M. P. (2002). An evaluation and clinical implications of the construct of body image. Adolescence, 37, 373–394.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blashill, A. J. (2011). Gender roles, eating pathology, and body dissatisfaction in men: A meta-analysis. Body Image, 8, 1–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boynton, P. M. (2003). “I’m just a girl who can’t say no”?: Women, consent, and sex research. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 29(Suppl. 1), 23–32.

  • Browne, M. W., & Cudeck, R. (1993). Alternative ways of assessing model fit. In K. A. Bollen & J. S. Long (Eds.), Testing structural equation models (pp. 136–162). Newbury Park: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byers, E. S. (2005). Relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction: A longitudinal study of individuals in long-term relationships. Journal of Sex Research, 42, 113–118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Byers, E. S., Demmons, S., & Lawrance, K. (1998). Sexual satisfaction within dating relationships: A test of the Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction. Journal of Personal and Social Relationships, 15, 257–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, B. M. (2001). Structural equation modeling in AMOS: Basic concepts, applications and programming. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, B. M. (2010). Structural equation modeling in AMOS: Basic concepts, applications and programming. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calogero, R. M., & Thompson, J. K. (2009). Potential implications of the objectification of women’s bodies for women’s sexual satisfaction. Body Image, 6, 145–148.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cash, T. F. (2002). Beyond traits: Assessing body image states. In T. F. Cash & T. Pruzinsky (Eds.), Body image: A handbook of theory, research, and clinical practice (pp. 163–170). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cash, T. E., & Henry, P. E. (1995). Women’s body images: The results of a national survey in the USA. Sex Roles, 33, 19–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cash, T. F., & Hicks, K. L. (1990). Being fat versus thinking fat: Relationships with body image, eating behaviors, and well-being. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 14, 327–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cash, T. F., Morrow, J. A., Hrabosky, J. I., & Perry, A. A. (2004). How has body image changed? A cross-sectional investigation of college women and men from 1938 to 2001. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72, 1081–1089.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cash, T. F., & Pruzinsky, T. (2002). (Eds.). Body image: A handbook of theory, research and clinical practice. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conner, M., Johnson, C., & Grogan, S. (2004). Gender, sexuality, body image and eating behaviors. Journal of Health Psychology, 9, 505–515.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davison, T. E., & McCabe, M. P. (2005). Relationship between men’s and women’s body image and their psychological, social, and sexual functioning. Sex Roles, 52, 463–475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esposito, K., Ciotola, M., Giugliano, F., Bisogni, C., Schisano, B., Autorino, R., et al. (2007). Association of body weight with sexual function in women. International Journal of Impotence Research, 19, 353–357.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Faith, M., & Schare, M. (1993). The role of body image in sexually avoidant behaviour. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 17, 25–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Field, A. (2005). Discovering statistics using SPSS (2nd ed.). London: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frank, E., Anderson, C., & Rubinstein, D. (1978). Frequency of sexual dysfunction in normal couples. New England Journal of Medicine, 299, 111–115.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fredrickson, B. L., Roberts, T. M., Noll, S. M., Quinn, D. M., & Twenge, J. M. (1998). That swimsuit becomes you: Sex differences in self-objectification, restrained eating and math performance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 75, 269–284.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gallicchio, L., Schilling, C., Tomic, D., Miller, S., Zacur, H., & Flaws, J. (2007). Correlates of sexual functioning among mid-life women. Climacteric, 10, 132–142.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garner, D. M. (1997). The 1997 Body Image Survey results. Psychology Today, 30(31), pp. 30–44, 75–80, 84.

  • Grabe, S., & Hyde, J. S. (2006). Ethnicity and body dissatisfaction among women in the United States: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 132, 622–640.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Graham, C. A., & Bancroft, J. (2005). Assessing the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction with surveys: What is feasible? In I. Goldstein, C. Meston, S. Davis, & A. Traish (Eds.), Women’s sexual function and dysfunction: Study, diagnosis and treatment (pp. 52–60). Boca Raton, FL: Taylor and Francis.

  • Grogan, S. (1999). Body image: Understanding body dissatisfaction in men, women and children. London: Routledge.

  • Hargreaves, D. A., & Tiggemann, M. (2006). ‘Body image is for girls’: A qualitative study of boys’ body image. Journal of Health Psychology, 11, 567–576.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, A. W., Lahavot, K., & Simoni, J. M. (2009). Ecological models of sexual satisfaction among lesbian/bisexual and heterosexual women. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 38, 50–65.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holt, A., & Lyness, K. P. (2007). Body image and sexual satisfaction: Implications for couple therapy. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 6, 45–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle, R., & Panter, A. T. (1995). Structural equation modeling: Concepts, issues, and applications. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyt, W. D., & Kogan, L. R. (2001). Satisfaction with body image and peer relationships for males and females in a college environment. Sex Roles, 45, 199–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, L. -T., & Bentler, P. M. (1995). Evaluating model fit. In R. H. Hoyle (Ed.), Structural equation modeling: Concepts, issues, and applications (pp. 76–99). London: Sage.

  • Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cut off criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6, 1–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hudson, W. W., Harrison, D. F., & Crosscup, P. C. (1981). A short-form scale to measure sexual discord in dyadic relationships. Journal of Sex Research, 17, 157–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, D. (2000). Structural equation modeling: Foundations and extensions. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, M., Holt, V., & Nazareth, I. (2007). Women’s views of their sexual difficulties: Agreement and disagreement with clinical diagnoses. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36, 281–288.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kline, R. B. (1998). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koch, P. B., Mansfield, P. K., Thurau, D., & Carey, M. (2005). “Feeling frumpy”: The relationships between body image and sexual response changes in midlife women. Journal of Sex Research, 42, 215–223.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kolotkin, R. L., Binks, M., Crosby, R. D., Ostbye, T., Gress, R. E., & Adams, T. D. (2006). Obesity and sexual quality of life. Obesity, 14, 472–479.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • La Rocque, C. L., & Cioe, J. (2011). An evaluation of the relationship between body image and sexual avoidance. Journal of Sex Research, 48, 397–408.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laumann, E. O., Paik, A., & Rosen, R. C. (1999). Sexual dysfunction in the United States: Prevalence and predictors. Journal of the American Medical Association, 281, 537–544.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lawrance, K., & Byers, E. S. (1995). Sexual satisfaction in long-term heterosexual relationships: The Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction. Personal Relationships, 2, 267–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lawrance, K., & Byers, E. S. (1998). Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire. In C. M. Davis, W. L. Yarber, R. Baureman, G. Schreer, & S. L. Davis (Eds.), Sexuality-related measures: A compendium (2nd ed., pp. 514–519). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leopold, J. S. (2003). The direct and indirect effect of body image on sexual satisfaction. Dissertation Abstracts International, 63(11-B), 5525.

  • Littleton, H., Radecki-Breitkopf, C., & Berenson, A. (2005). Body image and risky sexual behaviors: An investigation in a tri-ethnic sample. Body Image, 2, 193–198.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lohman, T., & Going, S. (1998). Assessment of body composition and energy balance. In D. Lamb & R. Murray (Eds.), Perspectives in exercise science and sports medicine (pp. 61–105). Carmel: Cooper Publishing Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacNeil, S., & Byers, E. S. (1997). The relationship between sexual problems, communication and sexual satisfaction. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 6, 277–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martins, Y., Tiggemann, M., & Kirkbride, A. (2007). Those speedos become them: The role of self objectification in gay and heterosexual men's body image. Personality and Social Psychological Bulletin, 33, 634–647.

  • Mascie-Taylor, C., & Goto, R. (2007). Human variation and Body Mass Index: A review of the universality of BMI cut-offs, gender and urban–rural differences, and secular changes. Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 26, 109–112.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McArdle, K. A., & Hill, M. S. (2007). Understanding body dissatisfaction in gay and heterosexual men: The roles of self-esteem, media, and peer influence. Men and Masculinities, 11, 511–532.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meana, M., & Nunnick, S. E. (2006). Gender differences in the content of cognitive distraction during sex. Journal of Sex Research, 43, 59–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mendelson, B. K., Mendelson, M. J., & White, D. R. (2001). Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults. Journal of Personality and Assessment, 76, 90–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nobre, P. J., & Pinto-Gouveia, J. (2006). Emotions during sexual activity: Differences between dysfunctional and functional men and women. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 35, 491–499.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, K. S., Hunter, J. A., Halberstadt, J., & Anderson, J. (2007). Body image and explicit and implicit anti-fat attitudes: The mediating role of physical appearance comparisons. Body Image, 4, 249–256.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Leary, M. P., Fowler, F. J., Lenderking, W. R., Barber, B., Sagnier, P. P., Guess, H. A., et al. (1995). A Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory for Urology. Urology, 46, 697–706.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pasco, J. A., Nicholson, G. C., Brennan, S. L., & Kotowicz, M. A. (2012). Prevalence of obesity and the relationship between the Body Mass Index and body fat: Cross-sectional, population-based data. PLoS One, 7(1), e29580.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Penhollow, T. M., & Young, M. (2008). Predictors of sexual satisfaction: The role of body image and fitness [Electronic version]. Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, 11. http://www.ejhs.org/volume11/Penhollow.htm.

  • Pujols, Y., Meston, C. M., & Seal, B. N. (2010). The association between sexual satisfaction and body image in women. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7, 905–916.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Purdon, C., & Holdaway, L. (2006). Non-erotic thoughts: Content and relation to sexual Functioning and sexual satisfaction. Journal of Sex Research, 43, 154–162.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodin, J., Silberstein, L., & Striegel-Moore, R. (1984). Women and weight: A normative discontent. In T. B. Sonderegger (Ed.), Psychology and gender (pp. 267–307). Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, R., Brown, C., Heiman, J., Leiblum, S., Meston, C., Shabsigh, R., et al. (2000). The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): A multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 26, 191–208.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, J., Srebnik, D., Saltzberg, E., & Wendt, S. (1991). Development of a body image avoidance questionnaire. Psychological Assessment, 3, 32–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez, D. T., & Kiefer, A. K. (2007). Body concerns in and out of the bedroom: Implications for sexual pleasure and problems. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36, 808–820.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Satinsky, S., Reece, M., Sanders, S., Dennis, B., & Bardzell, S. (2012). An assessment of body appreciation and its relationship to sexual function in women. Body Image, 9, 137–144.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, D. M., Fisher, W. A., Hewitt, E. C., & Clayton, J. P. (1985). A method for empirically assessing volunteer selection effects: Recruitment and responses to erotica. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 49, 1703–1712.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siever, M. D. (1994). Sexual orientation and gender as factors in socioculturally acquired vulnerability to body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62, 252–260.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sprecher, S. (2002). Sexual satisfaction in premarital relationships: Associations with satisfaction, love, commitment, and stability. Journal of Sex Research, 39, 190–196.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Statistics Canada. (2010). Canadian Health Measures Survey: Cycle 1 Data tables 2007–2009. Catalogue no. 82-623-X. Ottawa: Author.

  • Steer, A., & Tiggemann, M. (2008). The role of self-objectification in women’s sexual functioning. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 27, 205–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stephenson, K., & Meston, C. (2010). When are sexual difficulties distressing for women? The selective protective value of intimate relationships. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7, 3683–3694.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stommel, M., & Schoenborn, C. A. (2009). Accuracy and usefulness of BMI measures based on self-reported weight and height: Findings from the NHANES and NHIS 2001–2006. BioMed Central Public Health, 19, 421–430.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tiggemann, M. (2004). Body image across the adult life span: Stability and change. Body Image, 1, 29–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, D. R., & Heyward, V. H. (2000). Measures of body composition in Blacks and Whites: A comparative review. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 71, 1392–1402.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Warehime, N., & Bass, L. (2008). Breaking singles up: Sexual satisfaction among men and women. International Journal of Sexual Health, 20, 247–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weaver, A. D., & Byers, E. S. (2006). The relationships among body image, Body Mass Index, exercise and sexual functioning in heterosexual women. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 30, 333–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Werneke, U., Northey, S., & Bhugra, D. (2006). Antidepressants and sexual dysfunction. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 114, 384–397.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wiederman, M. W. (2000). Women’s body image self-consciousness during physical intimacy with a partner. Journal of Sex Research, 37, 60–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2000). Obesity: Preventing and managing the global epidemic: Report on a WHO Consultation (Technical Report Series No. 894). Geneva, Switzerland: Author.

  • Young, M., Denny, G., Luquis, R., & Young, T. (1998). Correlates of sexual satisfaction in marriage. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 7, 115–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zurbriggen, E. L., Ramsey, L. R., & Jaworski, B. K. (2011). Self-and partner-objectification in romantic relationships: Associations with media consumption and relationship satisfaction. Sex Roles, 64, 449–462.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank the participants for participating in SHAY, Duncan Parviainen, Megan Skinner, and Emily Quenneville for assistance with recruiting and data collection; Sarah Murray for study coordination, data collection, and assistance with data analysis; and Robyn Pitman for assistance with data analysis. This study was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, MacDonald Institute, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON , N1G 2W1, Canada

    Robin R. Milhausen, Andrea C. Buchholz, Emily A. Opperman & Lindsay E. Benson

Authors
  1. Robin R. Milhausen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Andrea C. Buchholz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Emily A. Opperman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lindsay E. Benson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrea C. Buchholz.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Milhausen, R.R., Buchholz, A.C., Opperman, E.A. et al. Relationships Between Body Image, Body Composition, Sexual Functioning, and Sexual Satisfaction Among Heterosexual Young Adults. Arch Sex Behav 44, 1621–1633 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0328-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0328-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation