Cultural expectations of muscularity in men: The evolution of Playgirl centerfolds

Objective: We sought to assess whether cultural ideals of the male body, as illustrated by magazine models, have changed over the past 25 years. Metho d: We examined 115 male centerfold models in Playgirl magazine from 1973 to 1997. Using the models' heights and weights quoted by the magazine, togeth er with visual estimates of body fat, we calculated the body mass index (BM I) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) of each model. Results: The Playgirl cent erfold models became increasingly "dense" and more muscular over time as in dicated by the significant correlations between BMI, FFMI, and year of publ ication. Discussion: These observations, in combination with previous studi es, suggest that cultural norms of the ideal male body are growing increasi ngly muscular. (C) 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.