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<p>Life-history theory provides an evolutionary framework for understanding how individuals allocate resources between mating, self-maintenance, and long-term investment, yet it has rarely been applied to body image outside Western contexts. This study examined body image among Arab young adults through a life-history lens, testing how fast–slow life-history strategies relate to appearance evaluation and appearance orientation, and how these associations are shaped by social media use, religiosity, gender, and age. Participants (N = 8,895) completed standardized measures of life-history strategy (Mini-K), body image, religiosity, and daily social media use. Results revealed that slower life-history strategies were associated with greater body satisfaction and higher appearance orientation, whereas faster strategies were linked to poorer appearance evaluations, consistent with greater mating-effort trade-offs. Social media use exerted a complementary effect, predicting lower appearance satisfaction and heightened appearance preoccupation. Gender moderated life-history effects on appearance evaluation, with slow-strategy women showing especially high body satisfaction. Religiosity and age were positively associated with both satisfaction and appearance orientation. Together, these findings extend life-history theory to a non-Western context, showing that body image reflects evolved strategic trade-offs shaped by digital and cultural ecologies.</p>

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Life History Strategy as a Predictor of Body Image in a Large Arab Sample

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月17日

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  • Marina Al-Matary,
  • Ray Garza,
  • Farid Pazhoohi

摘要

Life-history theory provides an evolutionary framework for understanding how individuals allocate resources between mating, self-maintenance, and long-term investment, yet it has rarely been applied to body image outside Western contexts. This study examined body image among Arab young adults through a life-history lens, testing how fast–slow life-history strategies relate to appearance evaluation and appearance orientation, and how these associations are shaped by social media use, religiosity, gender, and age. Participants (N = 8,895) completed standardized measures of life-history strategy (Mini-K), body image, religiosity, and daily social media use. Results revealed that slower life-history strategies were associated with greater body satisfaction and higher appearance orientation, whereas faster strategies were linked to poorer appearance evaluations, consistent with greater mating-effort trade-offs. Social media use exerted a complementary effect, predicting lower appearance satisfaction and heightened appearance preoccupation. Gender moderated life-history effects on appearance evaluation, with slow-strategy women showing especially high body satisfaction. Religiosity and age were positively associated with both satisfaction and appearance orientation. Together, these findings extend life-history theory to a non-Western context, showing that body image reflects evolved strategic trade-offs shaped by digital and cultural ecologies.