Biceps and Body Image: The Relationship Between Muscularity and Self-Esteem, Depression, and Eating Disorder Symptoms.

Abstract

The present study examined body image and associated psychological traits in 154 college men. The comprehensive battery of measures included a novel computerized test of body image perception, the Somatomorphic Matrix, in which subjects could navigate through a range of body images, spanning a wide range of body fat and muscularity, to answer various questions posed by the computer. Subjects also completed paper-and-pencil instruments assessing depression, characteristics of eating disorders, self-esteem, and use of performance-enhancing substances. Findings suggest that contemporary American men display substantial body dissatisfaction and that this dissatisfaction is closely associated with depression, measures of eating pathology, use of performance-enhancing substances, and low self-esteem. Muscle belittlement, believing that one is less muscular than he is, presented as an important construct in the body dissatisfaction of men.

An Exploration of Eating Disorders and Emotional States: An Infodemiological Study of Tweets Among Followers of Pro-Eating Disorder Sites

“…As illustrated in Table 3, LIWC results revealed that Twitter users identified as exhibiting ED showed significantly higher mean scores on negative emotions in general, anxiety, anger and sadness when compared to a general sample of Twitter users. These findings are consistent with research from clinical settings where individuals with ED are more likely to exhibit negative emotional states and mental illness [39,40]. When comparing followers of Pro-Ana and Pro-Mia sites (see Table 4), mean scores on negative emotion, anxiety, anger, and sadness were significantly higher for Pro-Ana followers.…”

A systematic review investigating the behaviour change strategies in interventions to prevent misuse of anabolic steroids

“…There is clear overlap with these concepts and strategies described within this review, and AS use is commonly discussed alongside body image and eating disorders (Rohman, 2009;Olivardia et al, 2004). With patterns of dependence amongst long-term AS users (Kanayama et al, 2009), and similarities between disorders such as muscle dysmorphia and behavioural addictions (Foster et al, 2015), approaches may also be informed by the evidence on preventing addictive behaviours.…”

What predicts drive for muscularity in college students?

“…Study 2 was designed to delve further into this issue. Based on research suggesting gender differences in exercise motivations (Gillison et al, 2009;Kjelsås & Augestad, 2003), as well as differing impacts of body dissatisfaction on issues related to DFM (Olivardia, Pope, Borowiecki, & Cohane, 2004. ), we expect gender differences in the relation between exercise motivations, body dissatisfaction, and DFM.…”