When it comes to body image disorders, ideas from teens and young women probably come to mind. There’s a reason for that. These are images we see in pop culture, and what we learned in high school, reading them in books.
Young women are certainly affected by physical image disorders, but so are young men. This is a fact that is not well known even in medical institutions.
“The juvenile’s eating disorder is unrecognized, underdiagnosed and undertreated,” he said. Dr. Jason NagataAssociate Professor of Pediatrics in the Department of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.
“Many people, including medical professionals, are not aware that eating disorders can occur in young people,” Nagata said, adding that the majority of the research and diagnostic criteria are based on research involving women.
Men, especially young men, are subject to pressure from different types of body image. Men are said to be muscular and bulky, like the superheroes of movies they grew up in. This leads to what is known as a muscle metamorphosis. Bigorexiaobstacles have been increasing in recent years.
What is Bigorexia?
“In extreme cases, muscle building behavior can lead to muscle modulation, which is also known as Bigorexia or reverse anorexia,” says Nagata.
“Muscle dysplasia occurs when an individual becomes obsessed with becoming a muscle. Even if they are objectively muscular, they may consider themselves as a preference,” he added.
He said about 90% of people in Bigorexia are young men. Joseph Tranzoclinical psychologist and deputy director of the Faculty of Health and Behavioral Sciences at Bryant University in Rhode Island. It mainly affects Between 15 and 32 years old.
Looking at young muscular people is less shocking than seeing other body images and people with eating disorders, but it can be physically and mentally damaging.
Below, experts share Bigorexia warning signs and what to do if you suspect your loved one is dealing with it.
1. Forced exercise.
Of course, exercise is good when done properly and moderately – it has its advantages Cardiovascular healthmental health, Bone health more. However, in people in Bigorexia, movement can be obsessive.
According to Trunzo, if your child is constantly exercising or exercising too often, you should be careful. This may seem like the time or time spent at the gym every day.
Young people suffering from Bigorexia tend to turn to certain types of movement, he noted.
“Bigorexia mainly focuses on muscle tissue and muscle size and muscle growth. So we don’t really see these kids training long tracks and running marathons,” explained Trunzo.
Instead of focusing on stamina and weight loss, the people at Bigorexia are trying to develop a physique that is like a superhero, he added.
This could also look like the guilt they feel when they’re not in the gym, Nagata said.
“Again, physical activity seems to be good for our health, but for those with muscular dysplasia, it becomes a chore, preconceived notion, and if they’re not in the gym all the time, they feel bad and guilty,” Nagata explained.
Beyond actual exercises, Nagata added, it’s how exercise makes them feel. Be careful if your child complains that they don’t feel bad if they don’t go to the gym today, or if they’re overly upset when they miss a training plan.
2. They withdraw from activities they normally like.
“Muscle dysplasia is a mental health condition, which often leads to disruption in quality of life and daily functioning,” Nagata said.
These young men often get obsessed with fitness routines and diets, which also affect their social life, school work, or actual work, Nagata added.
“There are generally some kind of impairment in the function [and] The quality of life is low,” he pointed out.
Whether it’s a movie night with a friend or a trip to cousins, you may see them withdraw from what they normally enjoy. And this is because of the issues with their body appearance and what they “need” to follow their strict rules.
3. If it is suggested to break your diet plan, it will be upset.
According to Trunzo, people with Bigorexia are often obsessed with dieting and calorie intake.
Often they count calories and macros in a restrictive way. Even if they are about to swell, they refuse to eat certain foods if they don’t build muscle (think high sugar levels of ingredients).
No matter what, they probably have strong food rules that don’t give them much room. And if there is a deviation from their set food plans or ideal calorie intake, they will probably be angry or upset, Tranzo said.
During a restrictive meal day, Bigorexia people may allow them to have a “cheat day” when they can eat what they want, but that’s also a problem.
“There’s a lot of overlap with that and a lot of food, but it’s revived or rebranded from a bit of a positive standpoint, but some of the behavior itself can still carry health risks,” Nagata said.
4. Don’t eat enough food to burn your workout.
Food is designed to fuel us, and the more we exercise, the more we need to consume. But for people in Bigorexia, their high levels of exercise are likely not consistent with their rather normal food intake, Nagata said.
” [food] The intake is very low, which leads to the starvation state of Bigorexia. Some of these individuals may have “normal” food intakes…but their energy output is often large,” he said.
They may eat enough for those who exercise regularly, but they eat enough for those who don’t overexerate, but not enough for those who are always in the gym. This could have devastating consequences for the body, such as entering the hunger star in a malnourished nation, Nagata said.
Darrin Klimek via Getty Images
5. Take many supplements and protein powders.
Excessive supplement use by young people in Bigorexia often results in excessive supplement use, including filming over-the-counter products from stores such as GNC and local pharmacies.
These products are just as legal as other products Supplements in this country“Most of them are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration,” Nagata said.
“So you can buy it online. You often buy it only at grocery stores and counters, but due to the lack of current laws and regulations, all of the supplement categories have actually not been rigorously tested for safety or efficacy,” Nagata added.
These products can be contaminated or mislabeled, Nagata said.
If you (or your child) is taking supplements, this rating should look for USP or NSF certified products to ensure safety. Gina MilanoClinical Nutritionist at Stanford Healthcare, California I told HuffPost earlier. You can see too In the NSF database To find a safe product to use.
6. Taking anabolic steroids.
Use of anabolic steroids It is made up of artificial testosterone Also, muscle gains in those who use them are common among people with Bigorexia.
“For me, the use of anabolic steroids is a red flag in itself,” Nagata said.
“They are illegal in the US and have serious health effects that can lead to heart complications, liver damage and kidney problems, and in teenagers, the use of steroids can actually lead to stunting and height, and many brain effects,” Nagata added.
“Roid Rage” is closely related to steroid use and is marked by aggression and hypersensitivity, Nagata added.
7. Always check the appearance in the mirror.
Mirror checks are often associated with eating disorders like anorexia, but are also found in young men with Bigorexia.
“They always look at themselves in the mirror and check their physical appearance,” Tranzo said.
This is not a casual look into the mirror to make sure your hair is in place and your shirt is not wrinkled, but instead, obsessively looking at the nearby mirror and reflective surface.
Overall, the pressure from social media is a huge driving force for Bigorexia.
A few years ago, the average person had no views on the daily lives of celebrities and influencers. Aside from film and print news articles, there was no more insight into the lives of celebrities.
But now, social media includes children in all those who take exercise routines, food regimens and peek into everyday life for wealthy and well-known people. And this only hurts the child’s body image, both experts said.
“I think the constant bombardment from social media was a real driver of the increase seen in children with dysmorphic disorders, especially Bigorexia, with these issues,” Trunzo said.
It’s not realistic to think your child will be protected from social media forever, so instead of avoiding the topic, address it.
“As a parent, you want to know what your child is watching on social media, what they are watching on TV, or what they are seeing in the film, and you want to tell them about it,” Tranzo said.
According to Trunzo, you can do this by asking them what a particular celebrities look like in the photo. If the child responds, “They look good and I want to look like that,” explains what’s in the seemingly unpossessed photo: editing, lighting, private chefs, personal trainers, plastic surgery, etc.
Trunzo said it’s never too early to start a discussion of these types with your child. In this way, they will realize that what they are seeing, whether it’s Tiktok or film, is not real and should not aim for appearance.
If your loved one shows any of the above signs of bigorexia, this is what to do.
First, we understand that Bigorexia is a serious mental health condition and can have a significant impact on physical and mental health, Nagata said.
“If you have concerns, you need to get professional help,” Nagata said. Your primary care provider or pediatrician can perform assessments and evaluations and provide referrals, making it a good place to get started.
“In general, muscle dysplasia is best supported by an interdisciplinary team that includes mental health, medical care and nutrition providers — I think eating disorders are best supported,” Nagata said.
“There is a huge amount of complexity in mental and physical health. It’s important to have an expert who can address each of these issues,” Nagata added.
