Bigorexia in teenagers is growing at an alarming pace. This form of reverse anorexia is described as the obsession with achieving a bulky and heavily muscled body, often resulting in unhealthy changes in diet, obsessively going to the gym, social isolation and in some cases, taking dangerous steroids which can lead to severe health problems.
The relationship that we have with our bodies is not one that we can break up with, but we do have the power to change it. Changing your body is not always a negative thing, as it can improve physical health, mental wellbeing and self-confidence. However, changing your body because you or other people make you feel ashamed of it, is not a healthy situation.
We live in a society now where social media is a constant presence. We are bombarded with information, images and advice about all kinds of topics. Part of this social media experience is people showing us their bodies, promoting an “ideal” and how to achieve it. The message fed to us is basically, “If you have a body that looks like this, you will be desired, popular, have a fabulous life and be happy.” When you put it like that, there seem to be no negatives at all.
“Men are experiencing the same body anxiety and dissatisfaction that women have been enduring for decades.”
– Dr Mark Rackley
Traditionally, pressure to have a certain type of ideal body was the domain of women. This is due to the female body being used in advertising, marketing and pornography much more than the male’s. However, now that has changed, and men’s bodies are being used in the same fashion. The impact of this cultural shift means that men are experiencing the same body anxiety and dissatisfaction that women have been enduring for decades.
Today, the male body is on display everywhere. Young men are being bombarded by images and information on social media that constantly promote a kind of “desirable and envied body” with a six pack and heavy muscles, and how to achieve it. This kind of exposure is not focused on health and fitness, rather it is about image, masculinity and attention-seeking.
I have had some male patients as young as 13, who have wanted to go to the gym twice a day, take protein supplements and change their diet, all to develop more muscle, chasing that physical ideal. They see stories on social media by men sometimes twice and three times their age who are talking about supplements, meal prep, bulking, and cutting, who have a body that they show as the results of what can be achieved by following their recommendations. For some male teenagers, this becomes the body they strive for. Of course, the reality is that teenagers’ bodies are still in development and they do not respond in the same way that a fully grown adults would do.
Social Media constantly feeds us unattainable physical goals and young men are starting to suffer mental health issues such as bigorexia as a consequence. Photo by Alonso Reyes on Unsplash.
Bigorexia in teenagers – or in men of any age for that matter – is a dangerous mental condition. Having poor mental health is a high price to pay to have a six-pack, yet many young men will sacrifice this, their social life, physical health and overall well-being to achieve this form of “perfect” body. Their world and focus shrinks, leading to an obsessional life that centres around achieving and maintaining an “ideal” body.
The narrative around men and their bodies needs to change from one of unrealistic promotion of a certain type to acceptance of all body types. We all have a role to play in this and it’s a collective solution that is needed. Until that happens, doctors like me will be picking up the pieces of the fallout of this cultural problem.
Words: Dr Mark Rackley
Dr Mark Rackley is a chartered psychologist with decades of experience helping adults and teenagers with their physical, mental and emotional health. He often consults and comments on psychological matters for magazines, radio and television. Dr Rackley also has a mental health podcast that covers a wide range of topics.
Leading image: Christopher Campbell on Unsplash
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