Analysis of Sociocultural Stereotypes Towards Thin Body and Muscular Body: Differences According to Gender and Weight Discrepancy

The purpose of this study is twofold. First, to adapt and validate a two-factor model of Body Change Inventory to the Spanish context, in order to measure the orientation towards thin body and orientation towards muscular body. The second aim is to analyse the sociocultural stereotypes towards thinness and muscular body according to the sex variable combined with the discrepancy with the current weight. The sample consisted of 1,022 students (488 girls and 534 boys) between 9 and 12 years old (female: M = 10.41, SD =.66, males: M= 10.47, SD =.68). An analysis was performed on the psychometric properties of the scale using different tests that enabled it to be considered as a valid and reliable tool. The results of variance analysis showed that both girls and boys intend to lose weight in the search for the thin body ideal, while more boys are pursuing a muscular body, regardless of whether they intend to lose, gain, or maintain weight.