Gender equality widens body dissatisfaction

Sex gaps in body dissatisfaction — with females reporting worse body image than males — appear larger in wealthier, more gender‑equal countries, and that gap is tied to worse self‑esteem and mental‑health outcomes. If true, it suggests that gains in formal gender equality can coincide with increased mental‑health burdens for women driven by cultural or comparative pressures. — This reframes gender‑equality debates by showing potential unintended mental‑health tradeoffs that should shape public health, education, and media policy.