Taking a close look at men, body image and health conditions that we should be talking about
Written by Stephen P. Sowulewski
You may remember the adage “brains or brawn,” as if society dictates that it has to be one over the other. On the whole, men are generally more satisfied with their body size and appearance than women are. But that doesn’t men are not immune to body image concerns. The notion of a Herculean physique can often undermine a man’s psyche.
Neither gender is unique when it comes to the demands of human performance. Women can succumb to disordered eating patterns, cessation of menstruation and reduced bone density (a condition known as the female athlete triad). And men, in the quest for athletic prowess or perfect performance, can suffer muscle dysmorphia, activity disorder and eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia.
Muscle Dysmorphia
Many of us tend to be our own worst critic. We look at ourselves in the mirror and see things we would like to change. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, body dysmorphic disorder is a preoccupation with an imagined or exaggerated defect in appearance. Muscle dysmorphia is a subcategory of this disorder. This condition, sometimes called bigorexia or reverse anorexia, occurs predominantly in men who believe they appear thin even though their muscles are actually quite large, according to a 2007 study. The shame and obsession with working out can cause some men to become socially isolated because of the demands of maintaining a meticulous diet and excessive workout schedule. According to James E. Leone, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Bridgewater State University, “Muscle dysmorphia is likely an obsessive compulsive disorder issue, so, just like every girl will not develop anorexia if they are picked on or see skinny images, I believe the same holds true for men or boys.”
Activity Disorder
An excessive or addictive exercise regimen undertaken to address psychological needs rather than to improve fitness is the hallmark of activity disorder. People who are addicted to exercise continue to exercise strenuously even when the activity causes such problems as illness, injury or the breakdown of relationships. Activity disorder is more common among men than among women, a difference that may be related to childhood experiences and cultural values, according to many experts. The association between activity and achievement may influence men with perfectionist qualities to become addicted to exercise. Treatment for activity disorder is similar to that for eating disorders and is often provided in an outpatient setting. Unfortunately, activity disorder often occurs concurrently with an eating disorder, which in combination can exacerbate the physical problems of both disorders.
Eating Disorders
About 10 percent of eating disorders are diagnosed in men. A 2000 study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that disordered eating, such as binge eating or self-induced vomiting, as well as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, account for nearly one in four cases of eating disorders in men. Men tend to focus on the upper body rather than lower body and usually diet for a specific reason, such as sport performance. According to Jeremy Akers, Ph.D., R.D., an assistant professor at James Madison University, “Current research reports that boys’ body dissatisfaction is similar to girls and binge-eating disorder affects females and males almost equally.” Akers cites the notion of competition in high school sports as having something to do with binge-eating disorder. “The win-at-all-cost philosophy/mentality drives male adolescents to do whatever it takes—this includes very low-calorie diets, diuretics, performance enhancing supplement use, sweat suits, and anabolic steroid use,” says Akers. On the other hand, a 2005 study published in Clinical Psychology Review reports that sports may provide protection against eating disorders by promoting an emphasis on performance rather than on appearance. In some sports, such as wrestling, dance, gymnastics, swimming, cycling, distance running and horse racing, a premium is placed on leanness. The risk for eating disorders appears to be greatest for athletes competing at elite levels, such as college teams.
Men are not impervious to body image concerns. Acknowledgement and open discussion of these issues is needed as more information becomes available.
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