Research on the body perceptions of men indicates that African American men have more positive body images than White and Hispanic men (Ricciardelli et al., 2007). Cultural perceptions of the social acceptability of varying body shapes may play a role in the body perceptions of men and be related to health behaviors. In this study, we explored differences in (a) body shape perceptions, (b) social acceptability of body shapes, and (c) body shape perceptions - physical activity relationships among White, African American, and Hispanic men. Participants included 171 Caucasian, 68 African American, and 41 Hispanic undergraduate men with a mean age of 21.22 (SD = 2.39). The men completed a demographic survey, a modified Figure Rating Scale (FRS; Stunkard et al., 1983), and three physical activity (PA) items (moderate, vigorous, strength PA). On the FRS, participants selected shapes representing ideal, skinny, thin, overweight, fat, and obese male bodies. They then rated the social acceptability of a male being skinny, thin, overweight, fat, and obese. Two separate MANCOVAs were conducted with BMI entered as the covariate and self-identified ethnicity the independent variable. In the first MANCOVA, body shape perceptions of ideal, skinny, thin, overweight, fat, and obese were dependent variables (DVs); in the second, social acceptability ratings were DVs. Significant effects were found for body shape perceptions (Wilks' Lambda = .90, F (12, 422) = 1.81, p <.05, partial eta2 = .05) and social acceptability (Wilks' Lambda = .84, F (10, 526) = 4.85, p <.001, partial eta2 = .08). Follow-up analyses revealed group differences on figures selected for fat (p < .05). In terms of social acceptability of varying body shapes, group differences were found for skinny, thin, overweight, fat, and obese (ps < .05). Correlations were conducted to determine relationships between body perceptions and physical activity. No significant associations were found for White participants. Among African American men, negative correlations were found between ideal and moderate PA, acceptability of fat and strength PA, and acceptability of obese and vigorous PA and strength PA (ps < .05). Among Hispanic men, significant negative relationships were found between thin and strength PA, and obese and moderate PA, and a significant positive correlation between acceptability of skinny and strength PA (ps < .05). Ethnic differences in body perceptions emerged and were related to self-reported physical activity. Additional research examining the nature of such relationships and other health-related behaviors is needed.Keyword(s): exercise/fitness/physical activity, multiculturalism/cultural diversity, research