An instrument for the evaluation of muscle dysmorphia: The Italian validation of the adonis complex questionnaire

Abstract

Background and aims Muscle dysmorphia (MDM), or bigorexia, is a subcategory of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), also known as “Adonis Complex” in nonscientific contexts. One of the most used tools to investigate MDM is the Adonis Complex Questionnaire (ACQ). The ACQ is a 13‐item US questionnaire, designed for male subjects only, related to the dissatisfaction and concerns about physical appearance. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the validity of the Italian version of the ACQ. Methods The instrument was administered to a sample of 322 male adults, recruited from the general population. We used the maximum‐likelihood confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA), analyzing the covariance matrices with AMOS 24.0, to evaluate the different factorial models proposed in the literature. Results The evaluation of the factorial structure of the Italian version of the ACQ demonstrates the greater stability and internal consistency of the two‐factor model, compared to the original three‐factor model. The factors have no correlation with the demographic characteristics of the sample. Conclusions The present study confirms the validity and the reliability of the Italian two‐factor version of the ACQ and highlights the general tendency, among Italian males, to have concerns about their own physical appearance with recurring thoughts and eating behaviors finalized to improve it. Our study represents an advance in the use of adequate and reliable instruments to assess concerns about physical appearance in the Italian male population.

The Role of Social Media in Building Awareness of Body

“…The interest in the subject of the risk of eating disorders in men is constantly growing. (Głębocka, 2009;Riccobono, 2020;Badenes-Ribera et al, 2019) showed, inter alia, that attempts of gaining weight during adolescence are increasing triple. However, the most disturbing fact is that the majority of men who wish to gain weight and muscle mass are within the normal BMI range.…”

Sports Supplements User Profile Based on Demographic, Sports, and Psychological Variables: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Recent literature has studied the correlation between exercise abuse, MD, appearance anxiety, and compulsive behavior [ 36 , 40 ]. Findings have suggested a high risk of exercise abuse and body image disorders in recreational exercisers that used fitness products under no supervision [ 36 , 37 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]. Moreover, they have informed that changes in habits, such as radical diets and the use of SS, have been reported as risk factors of MD, exercise abuse, and addictive behaviors in exercisers [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 38 , 39 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ].…”

“…Findings have suggested a high risk of exercise abuse and body image disorders in recreational exercisers that used fitness products under no supervision [ 36 , 37 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]. Moreover, they have informed that changes in habits, such as radical diets and the use of SS, have been reported as risk factors of MD, exercise abuse, and addictive behaviors in exercisers [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 38 , 39 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. Therefore, authors have reported users of SS with high levels of SM, MD and exercise abuse which are vulnerable to a risky intake that may lead to physical and mental problems [ 36 , 37 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ].…”

“…Moreover, they have informed that changes in habits, such as radical diets and the use of SS, have been reported as risk factors of MD, exercise abuse, and addictive behaviors in exercisers [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 38 , 39 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. Therefore, authors have reported users of SS with high levels of SM, MD and exercise abuse which are vulnerable to a risky intake that may lead to physical and mental problems [ 36 , 37 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. These authors have indicated that these findings are not conclusive and suggest new research is needed to be able to establish a profile of SS users [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ].…”

“…Therefore, authors have reported users of SS with high levels of SM, MD and exercise abuse which are vulnerable to a risky intake that may lead to physical and mental problems [ 36 , 37 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. These authors have indicated that these findings are not conclusive and suggest new research is needed to be able to establish a profile of SS users [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ].…”