Parents
today
are
generally
aware
of
mental
health
conditions
that
relate
to
body
image,
including
common
disorders
like
anorexia.
But
experts
warn
a
lesser-known
issue
is
on
the
rise,
particularly
among
boys:
muscle
dysmorphia,
aka

“bigorexia.”

“Bigorexia
is
a
psychological
condition
and
type
of
body
dysmorphic
disorder
which
involves
a
distorted
self-image
that
focuses
specifically
on
muscle
size
and
physical
appearance,”

Kara
Becker,
a
certified
eating
disorder
therapist
and
national
director
of
eating
disorder
programs
at
Newport
Healthcare,
told
HuffPost.

With
bigorexia,
the
afflicted
person
is
obsessed
with
becoming
more
muscular
and
preoccupied
with
the
idea
that
their
body
isn’t
brawny
enough
―
even
if
they
actually
have
the
physique
of
a
bodybuilder.

“Individuals
may
have
an
inaccurate
view
of
their
bodies,
often
believing
they
are
smaller
or
less
muscular,”
said

Amy
Gooding,
a
clinical
psychologist
at
Eating
Recovery
Center,
Baltimore.
“This
belief
and
subsequent
preoccupation
can
lead
to
unhealthy
behaviors,
including
obsessive
exercise,
and
may
lead
to
changing
one’s
eating
to
be
as
lean
as
possible.”

Although
muscle
dysmorphia
can
affect
anyone,
it’s
more
common
in
males,
and
research
suggests
the
disorder
is
on
the
rise.

A
2019
study
indicated
that
22%
of
adolescent
boys
engaged
in
“muscularity-oriented
disordered
eating
behaviors”
in
an
attempt
to
bulk
up
or
gain
weight
and
found
that
supplements,
dietary
changes
and
even
steroid
use
were
common
among
young
adult
males.

“Eating
disorders
in
boys
are
often
under-recognized
and
under-diagnosed,
said

Jason
Nagata,
a
pediatrician
specializing
in
eating
disorders
in
boys
and
men,
who
co-authored
the
study.

He
noted
that
a

recent
Canadian
study
found
that
hospitalizations
for
eating
disorders
in
male
patients
had
risen
dramatically
since
2002.

“While
there’s
more
awareness
around
eating
disorders,
muscle
dysmorphia
can
be
overlooked
for
several
reasons
―
one
reason
being
that
it
can
lead
to
behaviors
often
encouraged
in
the
weight
room,”
Gooding
said.
“Lack
of
awareness
of
the
disorder
may
lead
to
the
disorder
being
missed
in
someone
who
is
struggling,
as
this
is
one
of
the
less
well-known
disorders.
Those
who
struggle
may
hesitate
to
reach
out
for
help
due
to
shame,
secrecy
or
the
normalization
of
the
behaviors
in
the
community.”

What’s
fueling
the
rise
of
bigorexia
in
kids
and
young
adults?

“There
are
many
potential
causes
and
influences,
including
biological,
psychological
and
sociocultural
factors
that
can
contribute
to
the
development
of
this
disorder,”
Becker
said.
“A
family
history
of
mental
health
conditions,
especially
disorders
related
to
body
image
or
anxiety,
may
increase
the
chance
of
developing
bigorexia.
Likewise,
people
with
low
self-esteem,
perfectionism
or
obsessive-compulsive
tendencies
are
more
vulnerable
to
developing
this
disorder.”

Trauma
and
bullying
are
potential
risk
factors
for
bigorexia
as
well.

“Bodybuilders
and
other
people
who
lift
weights
are
at
a
higher
risk
than
the
general
population,”
Nagata
said.
“Competitive
athletes
are
more
at
risk
than
noncompetitive
athletes.
Athletes
who
lift
weights
to
change
the
appearance
of
their
bodies
are
at
higher
risk
than
those
who
focused
on
improving
performance.”

The
experts
who
spoke
to
HuffPost
agreed
that
one
of
the
biggest
factors
contributing
to
the
rise
of
bigorexia
is
the
proliferation
of
social
media.

“Not
only
are
young
people
consuming
body
ideals
from
the
media,
but
they
feel
pressure
to
produce
content
and
display
their
own
bodies
on
social
media,”
Nagata
said.
“Men’s
bodies
are
on
display
more
than
ever
on
social
media,
especially
through
influencer
accounts.
Constant
comparisons
to
these
idealized
bodies
may
lead
to
body
dissatisfaction
and
bigorexia.”

The
overemphasis
on
an
idealized
physical
appearance
in
media
and
advertising
is
particularly
harmful
for
younger
boys,
who
might
not
fully
appreciate
that
influencers
and
celebrities
actually
make
their
livelihood
off
images
of
their
bodies.
It’s

a
different
reality
that
is
unattainable
(not
to
mention
undesirable)
for
most
people.

“TikTokers
and
other
social
media
influencers
are
making
millions
of
dollars
by
getting
likes
and
followers,
which
they
then
invest
in
professional
trainers,
full-time
chefs,
and
other
experts
to
curate
and
maintain
their
image,”
said

Joseph
J.
Trunzo,
a
psychology
professor
and
associate
director
of
the
School
of
Health
&
Behavioral
Sciences
at
Bryant
University
in
Rhode
Island.

He
pointed
to
celebrities
such
as
Hugh
Jackman,
who
has
trained
for
hours
a
day
and
even
undergone

supervised
dehydration
regimens
to
transform
his
body
for
screen
roles.
“Most
15-year-old
kids”
do
not
think
about
these
facts
when
they
see
images
of
Jackman
looking
ripped
and
instead
might
develop
dissatisfaction
with
their
own
bodies,
he
explained.

And
that’s
not
even
taking
into
consideration
the
misleading
role
of
filters,
angles,
poses,
makeup
and
editing
in
those
images.

“Influencers
may
take
thousands
of
images
and
pick
the
best
one,
with
the
best
lighting
or
enhancements,
to
curate
the
ideal
version
of
themselves,”
Trunzo
added.
“None
of
it
is
real.
In
short,
we
are
constantly
exposed
to
unrealistic,
idealized
and
glamorized
versions
of
the
human
body
at
a
rate
that
we
have
never
experienced
before.
In
the
hands
of
an
impressionable
young
person,
this
is
a
very
dangerous
dynamic
and
recipe
for
psychological
disaster.”

Comment
sections
also
expose
posters
and
viewers
to
harsh
critiques
about
people’s
bodies,
which
can
fuel
more
insecurity
and
low
self-esteem.

“For
those
struggling
with
muscle
dysmorphia,
seeing
pictures
and
messaging
on
social
media
may
cause
a
person
to
have
harmful
thoughts
about
the
need
to
change
their
body,”
Gooding
said.
“They
may
start
to
train
more
in
the
gym
and
worry
about
losing
body
fat
to
enhance
their
muscular
bodies.
Soon
this
training
becomes
excessive
and
obsessive.”

What
can
parents
do?

There
are
many
ways
parents
can
help
counteract
the
forces
that
fuel
body
image
issues
and
psychological
disorders
like
bigorexia.

“Limit
social
media
consumption
as
much
as
possible,
but
recognize
that
you
cannot
eliminate
it
altogether,”
Trunzo
advised.
“Your
child
will
be
exposed
to
these
images,
so
talk
to
them
about
what
they
are
seeing.
Listen
to
what
they
say,
how
they
interpret
what
they
see,
make
sure
they
understand
the
reality
behind
what
they
are
viewing
and
are
not
‘buying’
the
image.”

He
also
recommended
emphasizing
values
of
human
worth
and
dignity
that
go
beyond
physical
appearance.
Focus
on
qualities
like
kindness,
creativity,
humor,
etc.

“It’s
important
to
provide
support
by
creating
a
safe
space
for
open
conversations,”
Becker
said.
“Be
a
positive
role
model
by
demonstrating
a
healthy
attitude
toward
your
own
body
and
self-esteem.”

Pay
attention
to
the
comments
you
make
about
your
own
bodies
in
front
of
your
children
and
the
attitudes
toward
exercise
and
food
you’re
displaying.
Be
mindful
of
the
kinds
of
messages
your
kids
are
getting
from
their
entertainment
and
social
media
activity.

“Parents
should
challenge
unhealthy
and
unhelpful
messaging
about
‘perfect
bodies’
and
social
acceptance,”
Gooding
advised.
“Body
diversity
should
be
discussed
and
praised.
Conversations
surrounding
exercise
should
include
messages
about
proper
fueling,
refueling,
rest
and
balance
in
workouts.”

When
images
of
buff
celebrities
appear
on
your
child’s
radar,
provide
context.

“I’ve
been
having
conversations
with
my
9-year-old
son
like,
‘Let’s
read
what
Hugh
Jackman
said
about
what
he
had
to
do
to
transform
into
Wolverine
and
look
like
this,’”
said
therapist

Cherie
Miller,
who
is
CEO
and
clinical
director
at
Nourished
Soul
Center
for
Healing.
“It’s
a
chance
to
say,
‘You
know,
this
isn’t
normal,
this
isn’t
realistic,
and
this
is
not
something
that
we
should
try
to
attain.’”

She
focuses
“body
respect”
―
reminding
her
children
that
we
care
about
our
bodies
and
want
to
take
care
of
them,
so
we
do
things
like
drinking
enough
water,
getting
enough
sleep
and
eating
a
variety
of
foods.
The
goal
is
to
avoid
extremes
and
know
that
bodies
are
great
because
of
the
functions
they
serve
in
helping
us
live
our
lives.

“Talking
about
body
diversity
as
a
good
and
natural
thing
is
important
too,”
Miller
said.
“Life
would
be
boring
if
we
all
looked
the
same.
So
isn’t
it
great
that
we
come
at
all
sizes
and
shapes
and
colors.
Look
at
all
the
different
plants
and
animals
in
the
world
too.”

If
parents
believe
their
child
is
being
bullied
or
teased
about
their
appearance,
they
should
take
action.

“Early
intervention
and
treatment
are
vital
to
stopping
the
progression
of
muscle
dysmorphia,”
Gooding
said.
“If
a
parent
recognizes
behavior
that
may
cause
concern
for
the
child,
parents
should
engage
in
conversation
with
their
child
about
the
thought
process
surrounding
their
exercise
behavior.”

Nagata
shared
some
typical
warning
signs
for
muscle
dysmorphia,
urging
parents
to
take
note
if
their
child
develops
a
preoccupation
or
obsession
with
weight,
food,
exercise
or
appearance
in
a
manner
that
“worsens
their
quality
of
life
and
impairs
their
social,
school
or
daily
functioning.”

“For
instance,
some
boys
spend
all
of
their
waking
hours
exercising
and
feel
guilty
if
they
are
not
at
the
gym,”
he
said.
“They
may
no
longer
eat
with
their
families
or
friends
because
of
rigid
concerns
about
their
nutrition
and
diet.”

If
you
suspect
your
child
is
starting
to
struggle
with
bigorexia,
know
that
they
are
not
alone
and
there
are
resources
that
can
help.

“Boys
with
muscle
dysmorphia
or
eating
disorders
should
seek
professional
help,”
Nagata
said.
“They
can
discuss
these
issues
with
a
primary
care
pediatrician.
Eating
disorders
and
muscle
dysmorphia
are
best
supported
by
an
interdisciplinary
team
including
a
mental
health,
medical
and
nutrition
provider.”

Many
professionals
specialize
in
the
treatment
of
body
dysmorphia
and
even
specifically
muscle
dysmorphia.
Your
child
can
learn
to
identify
triggers,
understand
their
thought
process
and
learn
ways
to
cope.

“The
earlier
this
is
dealt
with,
the
better,”
Trunzo
said.
“Left
unchecked,
the
consequences
can
be
life-altering.”

The
original
version
of
this
story
was
published
on
HuffPost
at
an
earlier
date.