Validation of a six-item male body image concerns scale (MBICS)

Eat Disord. 2014;22(5):420-34. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2014.925768. Epub 2014 Jun 25.

Abstract

Elevated body image concerns may be a risk factor for eating disorders among males and contribute to a range of other mental health problems. This study tested a 6-item measure of general male body image concerns in two studies with adolescent males ages 14-18 (total N = 122). The measure showed strong convergent validity, scale score reliability, and test-retest reliability, and was significantly correlated with the number of episodes of binge eating in the past month. A short scale will relieve participant burden and provide a useful research tool for studies with males at risk for or with eating disorders.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Body Image / psychology*
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Men / psychology*
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires