In what was apparently a surprise for Jennifer Aubrey, a researcher studying media effects on body image at the University of Missouri, while viewing media images of incredibly attractive female models made women feel a modicum of inadequacy, men did not feel similarly after viewing images of men well-endowed in the physical perfection department.

I’m just going to summarize this quickly, but as it happened, men couldn’t really have cared less about the male models; however, and surprisingly, when they viewed enticing images of females, particularly those in more suggestive poses as you would find in your typical ‘lad’ magazine, they exhibited an enhanced sense of body self-consciousness a year later.

Aubrey attributes this to men realizing that if ever they were to stand a chance of attracting these desirable females, they would first have to lose about 60% of their body weight and basically just get off their fat hairy asses and down to the gym and tanning salon and waxing parlour etc. etc.

I’ve got to say that in my own experience, this is definitely the case. Whenever I’m walking along contentedly pondering the non-sexual mysteries of the world and a highly delicious female walks into my vicinity, my thoughts turn immediately to… well, after that they turn directly to when I went to the gym last and when I can go again and whether I should up the weight on my squat.

I don’t see this as a bad thing! I know all those politically vociferous fatospherians bitch and moan about the negative self image engendered by the ‘unrealistic expectations’ promulgated by the fashion world and whatnot, but surely any kick in the guts in the direction of a healthy or at least dietarily conservative lifestyle is a good thing.

I think this may be why my gym has ten plasma screen playing sexy music videos the whole time. It may be an uncomfortable feeling, that you’re not good enough as you are, but if the ends justify the means, as they often do, I think it’s an effect to be embraced.

So, while the original press release referred to it as a ‘negative effect on men’, I wholeheartedly beg to differ!

Adapted from materials provided by Eurekalert