When Men Started to Obsess Over Six-Pack Abs
It goes all the way back to the ancient Greeks.
By
Conor Heffernan, Assistant Professor, UT Austin
Apr 1, 2021
The cultural obsession with six-pack abdominals shows no signs of abating. And if research into male body image is to be believed, it will likely only grow, thanks to social media.
Today, there’s an entire industry centered on obtaining—and maintaining—chiseled abs. They’re the subject of books and social media posts, while every action movie star seems to sport them. Pressure is also mounting on women to sport six-pack abs as body ideals for athletic women have evolved.