Central YMCA highlight body image as a weighty issue for men

Research conducted by Central YMCA, YMCAfit's parent charity, has made headline news in many of today’s papers, including BBC News Online, The Guardian, Daily Mirror, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, Daily Record and the Daily Mail online.

The research, which was conducted by the Charity and the Centre for Appearance Research, shows that body image anxiety is no longer just confined to women; four out of five men regularly engage in conversation about their bodies, a similar proportion are unhappy with their level of muscularity and one in four are put off exercising because of concerns about their appearance.

Rosi Prescott, Chief Executive of Central YMCA said, "Historically conversation about your body has been perceived as something women do, but it is clear from this research that men are also guilty of commenting on one another's bodies and in many cases this is having a damaging effect."

For more information about the research visit the BBC website or visit the Body Confidence website which includes a short film about 'Body Talk'.