A meta-analysis of the drive for muscularity's relationships with exercise behaviour, disordered eating, supplement consumption, and exercise dependence

Abstract

We examined the drive for muscularity's (DFM) relationships with exercise behaviour, disordered eating, supplement consumption, and exercise dependence in males. By searching electronic databases, manually reviewing journal table of contents and retrieved article reference lists, and corresponding with leading researchers, we identified 77 studies. A random effects model was applied to perform analyses and we adjusted results for possible publication bias. The average effect sizes (r) the DFM had with weight training (.31), nonweight training (.11), disordered eating (.30), supplement consumption (.36), and exercise dependence (.43) were significant (P < .05). The relationship between the attitudes and behavioural subscales of the DFM Scale (r = .47) was significant (P < .001). For supplement consumption, moderator analysis indicated that r varied significantly for questionnaire type and participant status (student versus non-student, P < .01). The small-to-moderate relationships indicate the value of adopting theoretical perspectives allowing the examination of the DFM's role in predicting exercise and dietary behaviour within a broader psychosocial context. Most researchers have studied these relationships in isolation. The relationship between the two DFM subscales implies that the questionnaire total score may better represent a commitment to muscularity rather than a drive per se. Keywords: body image; self-perceptions; male ideal physique; eating behaviour; eating disorder; body dysmorphia 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 Historically, body image research has focused on females, weight loss, and eating disorders, whereas more recently, investigators have also increased attention paid to men's body image issues (Edwards, Tod, & Molnar, 2014). Although some men wish to lose weight, particularly adipose tissue, other males desire to gain weight, especially muscle mass Theorists have provided explanations for why people may develop a drive for muscularity and why the drive might stimulate appearance-related behaviours and cognitions (Morrison, Morrison, & McCann, 2006). Central to these explanations is the postulate that if people learn from their environments that a muscular physique is valued and desirable, then they will compare themselves against others to determine if they have sufficient or inadequate levels of muscle. If they deem themselves to be inadequately muscular then they will develop a high drive which will stimulate engagement in appearance change behaviours and cognitions (Morrison et al., 2006). Based on these explanations, researchers hypothesize that increased levels of the drive for muscularity are related to specific appearance altering behaviours, including exercise participation, disordered eating, and supplement consumption (Dakanalis, Timko, et al., 2015; Galli, Petrie, Reel, Chatterto...

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“…Therefore, attitudes and behaviours towards muscularity would be more common in active than sedentary subjects. Low levels of the drive for muscularity may be beneficial since they guide individuals to practice some physical exercise, such as resistance training (Tod & Edwards, 2015). The presence of higher scores on the drive for muscularity and lower degree of body dissatisfaction observed in very active group is consistent with theories on the study field.…”

“…An adequate degree of the drive for muscularity leads the subjects to practice exercises focused on increasing muscle volume and size, which consequently reduces body dissatisfaction, since the socially acceptable body ideal for men is mesomorphic. Nevertheless, attention should be paid to the degree of drive for muscularity since higher levels are related to compulsive exercise, drug abuse, social impairment, and unhealthy diets (Tod & Edwards, 2015).…”

Drive for Muscularity and Disordered Eating Behavior in Males: the Mediating Role of Cognitive Appraisal

“…There is mixed evidence for the relationship between increased levels of DFM and disordered eating behaviour (Edwards et al, 2014). A recent meta-analysis (Tod and Edwards, 2015) has shown that a small to moderate relationship exists between DFM and disordered eating behaviour, suggesting that the relationship between these variables may not be simple or straightforward. The same meta-analysis argued for the evaluation of this relationship within a broader theoretical perspective that acknowledges other variables.…”

“…However, the meta-analysis by Tod and Edwards (2015) found small to moderate relationships between DFM and exercise behavior, disordered eating, supplement consumption, and exercise dependence. These modest results indicate the value of adopting theoretical perspectives that allow for the examination of the DFM's role in predicting exercise and dietary behavior.…”

Motivação para o Aumento da Massa Muscular em Praticantes de Exercício Resistido

“…Esses comportamentos dirigidos ao aumento da musculatura podem incluir, muitas vezes, práticas que podem pôr em risco a saúde, como a realização de sessões longas e excessivas de exercício resistido, de dietas inadequadas e o uso incorreto de recursos ergogênicos 6,7 . O fato de estar inserido em uma academia de musculação pode influenciar ainda mais e facilitar a adoção de tais comportamentos.…”