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ABSTRACT
The prevalence of breast augmentation and breast lift surgery suggests that many women are dissatisfied with their breasts. This study analyzed women's and men's views about breast size and shape among 52,227 heterosexual adults, ages 18–65, who responded to an online survey. Although most women (70%) were dissatisfied with the size or shape of their breasts, most men (56%) were satisfied with their partner's breasts. Younger and thinner women worried that their breasts were too small; older and heavier women were more concerned with breast droopiness. Women who were dissatisfied with their breasts were more likely to report lower body satisfaction and to express concern about wearing a bathing suit in public. Further, dissatisfied women were also less willing to undress in front of their partner and were more likely to conceal their breasts from their partner during sex. These findings suggest that dissatisfaction with breasts is widespread among adult women.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
For additional papers and information, please contact David Frederick at [email protected] or visit his website at http://dfred.bol.ucla.edu. We thank Elle magazine for access to the data from the ELLE/MSNBC.com Sex and Body Image Survey. The authors are grateful to the UCLA Graduate Division, the Center for Culture, Brain, and Development, and the department of Psychology, for providing financial support for the first author. We are also grateful to the National Institute of Health, who supported the first author, Grant # 1F31MH072384-01. Thanks also to Carol Edwards, who helped create the database.