A lot of people think that body issues only affect women, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, we always hear girls talking about dieting, working out, toning up, fitting into that special dress, resisting that tempting dessert… but just because they’re more vocal about their body issues, it doesn’t mean that only girls have them.

A large part of the reason women are insecure about their bodies is because of the perfect and unrealistic image portrayed by the media. You see airbrushed girls on the pages of every magazine, and skinny, toned women on the fashion catwalks and in Hollywood films. Film stars can afford personal trainers and strict diets – a luxury that most of us have to go without. Our escort girls are stunning too, but they do work hard for those figures!

Men have exactly the same problem with how they are represented in the media. If you look at male models, actors and musicians – all in the public eye – you’ll notice that most of them look like Greek Gods. They have bulging biceps, washboard stomachs with rippling abs and perfect white smiles. Of course this makes normal men feel self conscious! It is naive for women to think that only they are affected – there’s just as much pressure on men to look good.

Eating disorders are on the rise amongst young men. Around 10% of those diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia are male, which means that there are thousands affected in the UK. It’s difficult to know the real statistics as many will keep their disorder a secret. A lot of men want less body fat and more muscle, and feel that their image is very important.

If you’re struggling with your body image, try these things to restore some confidence in yourself. Firstly, be objective when you look at models in the media; they have been airbrushed within an inch of their life! People do not really look like this. Even heart throb Robert Pattinson had his six pack sprayed on with shading when he went topless in the Twilight films. Surround yourself with friends who are not concerned with the way they look – who you socialise with can greatly influence how you think and feel. Also, concentrate on your qualities that are not aesthetic: maybe you’re clever, have a good sense of humour or the gift of the gab. These things can get you far in life, regardless of how you look or how much you weigh.