-
Appetite Aug 2023The dietary choices of male athletes are increasingly a topic of moral and nutritional debate. Though it has long been a consensus that athletes require animal products...
The dietary choices of male athletes are increasingly a topic of moral and nutritional debate. Though it has long been a consensus that athletes require animal products to advance their athletic goals, this understanding is now challenged in academic and popular sources based on nutritional evidence and concern about the environmental impacts of animal products. In order to better understand how (semi-)professional male athletes perceive plant-based diets and diets containing animal products, thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with male athletes competing nationally and internationally, including mixed and plant-based eaters. Interviews were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis, in line with a critical, qualitative research methodology. Justifications for meat, situated knowledge and masculinity were used as theoretical lenses. Our analysis shows how athletes reproduce nutritional claims about the necessity of protein for athletes, but disagree on the suitability of plant-based sources. This nutritional discourse derives from a broad range of sources, including professional nutritionists, friends, online influencers, and media. Second, when explaining their own food practices, food being 'nice' and 'normal' - common justifications for meat as evidenced in the 4N theory - often supersede necessity. Embedding these views in their everyday lives as athletes shows that food environments and shared eating practices fortify a mixed diet as normal, and plant-based diets as anomalous. It further shows how the view of meat being normal is subject to shifting masculinity norms. Interviewees reject meat eating as normal and masculine for men, while male athletes who show dedication, constraint, and knowledge in a plant-based diet are viewed positively. As role models for diet and masculinity, this has implications for a potential role of athletes in a societal transition towards lower consumption of animal products.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Male; Diet; Feeding Behavior; Meat; Diet, Vegetarian; Athletes; Masculinity
PubMed: 37164165
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106585 -
Evolutionary Psychology : An... 2023Gender role attitudes refer to attitudes toward the appropriate roles, rights, and responsibilities of men and women in society. Evidence indicates that individuals with...
Gender role attitudes refer to attitudes toward the appropriate roles, rights, and responsibilities of men and women in society. Evidence indicates that individuals with traditional gender role attitudes tend to prefer mates with sex-typical opposite-sex characteristics in heterosexual men and women. This study examined whether gender role attitudes were associated with vocal masculinity preference in gay men in China. Five hundred and sixty-seven participants aged between 16 and 49 years completed the vocal masculinity preference (voice pitch and vocal tract length; VTLs) and gender role attitudes scale. The results indicated that gay men generally preferred masculine voices (lower voice pitch and longer VTLs) and gender role attitudes were positively correlated with preferences for masculine cues in the voices of men. While individuals indicating an affinity with traditional gender roles exhibited stronger preferences for feminine voices, which were inconsistent with the present hypotheses. The results help us understand the role of traditional gender beliefs in the mate preferences of gay men in China. Furthermore, based on the results, understanding one's gender-role attitudes can help cultivate more diversified criteria for mate selection and facilitate gay men in better choosing suitable mates. Future longitudinal studies should examine the relationship between gender role attitudes and masculine preference changes over time. Whether this relationship differs in the different sexual roles of gay men should also be explored.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Gender Role; Masculinity; Sexual Behavior; China; Sexual and Gender Minorities
PubMed: 37876204
DOI: 10.1177/14747049231207612 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2023Drawing on systemic racism theory, white racial framing and the notion of bad faith as the connecting, justifying thread between ideals of freedom and equality and...
Drawing on systemic racism theory, white racial framing and the notion of bad faith as the connecting, justifying thread between ideals of freedom and equality and actions realizing unfreedom and inequities, this essay explores the alchemy of race, masculinity, and racialized oppression and its consequences for Black men past and present in United States society. This essay's aim is to trace the historical ideologies and cultural practices, relations, and normative standards that have contributed to, and hence must be challenged to confront, the inequitable, race-based relations of power, and privilege at the root of institutionalized injustices. To do so, this essay interrogates the dissonance of bad faith as a corrective mode of truth telling to highlight and tap the equity potential of Black men's collective, historical rejections of the White mainstream's conflicting definitions and deceptive reasonings requisite for pushing toward racial justice, healing, and peace.
PubMed: 37876844
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1235185 -
Medicine Dec 2023Disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) include a diverse group of congenital conditions in which the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is... (Review)
Review
RATIONALE
Disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) include a diverse group of congenital conditions in which the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is discordant. It involves several variant genes, and one of them is NR5A1. NR5A1 encodes a signal transduction regulator in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal pathway, and pathogenic mutation in this gene is a cause of 46,XY DSD.
PATIENT CONCERNS
A 12-year-old individual raised as a girl was admitted to the hospital due to hirsutism and a deep voice that began at 11 years old. The individual exhibited testicular hypoplasia, clitoral hypertrophy, and female external genitalia.
DIAGNOSES
The patient was diagnosed 46,XY partial gonadal dysgenesis. The cytogenetics revealed a 46,XY karyotype and DNA sequencing shown a variant in NR5A1. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed absence of uterus and ovaries. The abdominopelvic ultrasound revealed bilateral testicle in bilateral groin. Pathology confirmed testes dysgenesis.
INTERVENTIONS
The patient underwent bilateral orchiectomy at age 12 years and was given a feminizing hormonal treatment of 0.5 mg/day of estradiol valerate tablets.
OUTCOMES
The patient recovered well after surgery and hormonal treatment and had a regression in hirsutism and clitoromegaly.
LESSONS
46,XY DSD is a rare disease that the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is discordant, when diagnosed 46,XY DSD, the identification of an NR5A1 variant should be considered.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Child; Testis; Disorder of Sex Development, 46,XY; Hirsutism; Mutation; Gonadal Dysgenesis; Steroidogenic Factor 1; Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY
PubMed: 38206718
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000036725 -
Cureus Nov 2023A rare disorder of sex development (DSD) linked to a 46,XX karyotype is characterized by male external genitalia, which can range from typical to atypical, often...
A rare disorder of sex development (DSD) linked to a 46,XX karyotype is characterized by male external genitalia, which can range from typical to atypical, often accompanied by testosterone deficiency. A 3-year-old child who appeared phenotypically male was brought to the hospital by his parents due to concerns about ambiguous genitalia. A comprehensive series of pathological tests and radiological imaging studies were conducted to ascertain the underlying cause of his presentation. Karyotyping revealed a 46,XX genotype, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results indicated the presence of both testes and a Müllerian remnant. Consequently, the diagnosis was established as the de la Chapelle syndrome. This case report aims to highlight various imaging findings associated with this syndrome.
PubMed: 38046696
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48150 -
Medicine Sep 2023This study goaled to evaluate the ABO/Rh blood group distribution and its relationship with clinical and biochemical factors in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)...
This study goaled to evaluate the ABO/Rh blood group distribution and its relationship with clinical and biochemical factors in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. ABO/Rh blood group distribution of the patients and the healthy individuals were compared. In addition, the features of clinical and biochemical factors were compared according to the ABO/Rh blood groups. Two hundred and sixty-five patients were involved in the study. At the time of diagnosis, hirsutism (86%) and oligomenorrhea (80.9%) were the most prevalent symptoms. There were 166 (62.6%) patients with baseline ultrasonography results consistent with PCOS. In 111 (41.9%) patients, insulin resistance was found. ABO blood group distributions in the patient (42.6% A, 17% B, 9.4% AB, 30.9% O) and control (42% A, 16% B, 8% AB, 34% O) groups were found to be similar (P = .9). There was no difference between oligomenorrhea, hirsutism, hair loss, acne, obesity, high androgen level, insulin resistance, and ultrasound characteristics according to ABO/Rh blood groups. In this study, ABO/Rh blood group distribution in individuals with PCOS was found to be similar to healthy individuals, and it was determined that ABO/Rh blood group was not a risk factor for PCOS. In addition, no correlation was found between the clinical and biochemical characteristics of the patients at the time of diagnosis and the ABO/Rh blood group.
Topics: Female; Humans; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Hirsutism; ABO Blood-Group System; Insulin Resistance; Oligomenorrhea; Risk Factors; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System
PubMed: 37682192
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034944 -
PloS One 2023People quickly and involuntarily form impressions of others based on their facial physical attributes, which can modulate critical social interactions. Skin pigmentation...
People quickly and involuntarily form impressions of others based on their facial physical attributes, which can modulate critical social interactions. Skin pigmentation is one of the most variable and conspicuous facial traits among human populations. Empirical evidence suggests that these variations reflect ancestral ecological selective pressures balancing cutaneous vitamin D synthesis with the protection of the dermis from ultraviolet radiation. Nevertheless, skin pigmentation may currently be subject to additional selective pressures. For instance, the colonial era in Central and South America developed a highly stratified society based on ethnic origins, and light skin pigmentation became associated with higher social status and deference. This association could have originated through historical social learning that promoted favorable social perceptions towards individuals with lighter skin color and unfavorable perceptions towards individuals with darker skin color, which could still be present in the perception of current populations. Facial skin pigmentation is also sexually dimorphic, with males tending to exhibit darker skin than females, a difference that could be driven by sexual selection. To explore whether social learning and sexual selection represent additional selective pressures on skin pigmentation, we tested how this facial trait influences fundamental social perceptions in a Mexican population (N = 700, 489 female). We sampled facial images of eight European American males with natural lighter facial skin and eight males from an indigenous pre-Columbian community from Mexico, the Me'Phaa, with natural darker facial skin. We produced stimuli from these images by varying the skin pigmentation while preserving the facial shape. Stimuli were rated on attractiveness, trustworthiness, perceived health, dominance, aggressiveness, and femininity/masculinity. We found that the natural light-skinned faces were perceived as more attractive, trustworthy, and healthy but less dominant than the natural dark faces. Furthermore, by varying the facial skin color in these original groups, we altered the perceptions of them, mainly their attractiveness. These results partially support the hypothesis that dark facial skin color may help males compete for mates. Also, the results strongly support the view that lighter facial skin color became associated with social benefits through social learning in this Mexican population. Our findings, when viewed through the lens of cultural evolution, align with previous research in social psychology and anthropology. They hold the potential to offer a comprehensive understanding of the origin of this social phenomenon of cultural transmission, which currently plays a role in the formation of racial attitudes, stereotyping, and racial inequality in Mexican and other Latin American populations.
Topics: Male; Animals; Humans; Female; Skin Pigmentation; Judgment; Ultraviolet Rays; Mexico; Masculinity; Hominidae; Social Perception
PubMed: 38032952
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279858 -
Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Dec 2023Men's adherence to constraining male gender norms can lead them to resist contraceptive use. Very few interventions have attempted to transform masculine norms to...
Men's adherence to constraining male gender norms can lead them to resist contraceptive use. Very few interventions have attempted to transform masculine norms to encourage greater contraceptive acceptance and gender equality. We designed and evaluated a small-scale community-based intervention targeting the masculine norms tied to contraceptive resistance among partnered men ( = 150) in two western Kenya communities (intervention vs. control). Pre-post survey data fit to linear and logistic regression models evaluated differences in post-intervention outcomes, accounting for pre-intervention differences. Intervention participation was associated with increases in contraceptive acceptance scores (adjusted coefficient (aβ) 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16, 1.91; = 0.02) and contraceptive knowledge scores (aβ 0.22; 95% CI 0.13, 0.31; < 0.001) and with contraceptive discussions with one's partner (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 3.96; 95% CI 1.21, 12.94; = 0.02) and with others (aOR 6.13; 95% CI 2.39, 15.73; < 0.001). The intervention was not associated with contraceptive behavioural intention or use. Our findings demonstrate the promise of a masculinity-driven intervention on increasing men's contraceptive acceptance and positive contraceptive involvement. A larger randomised trial is needed to test the effectiveness of the intervention among men as well as among couples.
Topics: Humans; Male; Contraceptive Agents; Kenya; Pilot Projects; Men; Masculinity
PubMed: 36811906
DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2170084 -
International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2023Men show a significantly higher suicide rate, are less often recognized as persons at risk, and are more difficult to reach for suicide prevention interventions. Warning...
Men show a significantly higher suicide rate, are less often recognized as persons at risk, and are more difficult to reach for suicide prevention interventions. Warning signs and deterioration in mental health are often not recognized by their surroundings. This study aims to retrospectively analyze the behavior and communication of men before a suicide, how relatives noticed changes, and how the interaction was perceived. = 15 individuals who lost a close male relative to suicide were interviewed using psychological autopsy interviews. The interviews were evaluated following a deductive-inductive approach while using a comprehensive category system. The majority of men showed changes in behavior before the suicide, especially social withdrawal, irritability, and generally a deterioration in mental health. In fact, men did communicate their suicidal thoughts before they died through suicide, but mainly indirectly. While only one-third of the deceased made preparations before suicide, the majority of relatives noticed a deterioration in the mental health of the individual as well as increased alcohol and substance use. Men show signs of suicide, which are little recognized by their surroundings. Suicide prevention interventions should be adapted more to the needs of men.
Topics: Humans; Male; Autopsy; Retrospective Studies; Men; Communication; Suicide
PubMed: 37681808
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20176668 -
PloS One 2024The Western diet has undergone a massive switch since the second half of the 20th century, with the massive increase of the consumption of refined carbohydrate...
The Western diet has undergone a massive switch since the second half of the 20th century, with the massive increase of the consumption of refined carbohydrate associated with many adverse health effects. The physiological mechanisms linked to this consumption, such as hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinemia, may impact non medical traits such as facial attractiveness. To explore this issue, the relationship between facial attractiveness and immediate and chronic refined carbohydrate consumption estimated by glycemic load was studied for 104 French subjects. Facial attractiveness was assessed by opposite sex raters using pictures taken two hours after a controlled breakfast. Chronic consumption was assessed considering three high glycemic risk meals: breakfast, afternoon snacking and between-meal snacking. Immediate consumption of a high glycemic breakfast decreased facial attractiveness for men and women while controlling for several control variables, including energy intake. Chronic refined carbohydrate consumption had different effects on attractiveness depending on the meal and/or the sex. Chronic refined carbohydrate consumption, estimated by the glycemic load, during the three studied meals reduced attractiveness, while a high energy intake increased it. Nevertheless, the effect was reversed for men concerning the afternoon snack, for which a high energy intake reduced attractiveness and a high glycemic load increased it. These effects were maintained when potential confounders for facial attractiveness were controlled such as age, age departure from actual age, masculinity/femininity (perceived and measured), BMI, physical activity, parental home ownership, smoking, couple status, hormonal contraceptive use (for women), and facial hairiness (for men). Results were possibly mediated by an increase in age appearance for women and a decrease in perceived masculinity for men. The physiological differences between the three meals studied and the interpretation of the results from an adaptive/maladaptive point of view in relation to our new dietary environment are discussed.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Meals; Breakfast; Snacks; Contraceptive Agents; Contraceptive Devices; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Hyperglycemia
PubMed: 38446775
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298984