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Objectives Male bodybuilders have been found previously to have higher levels of disordered eating and body‐image disturbance than do other men. This study investigated whether objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) could be used to explain these observed differences in male body‐image.

Design A cross‐sectional, self‐report design was used.

Methods Three samples of men were recruited: bodybuilders (N = 31), weightlifters (N = 17), and non‐athletic controls (N = 35). Participants completed a questionnaire containing measures of self‐objectification, self‐surveillance, body shame, appearance anxiety, and four outcomes: body dissatisfaction, drive for muscularity, bulimia, and depression.

Results As predicted, bodybuilders had significantly higher levels of self‐objectification than weightlifters and controls, and higher levels of body dissatisfaction and drive for muscularity than controls. Overall …