Effects of body image on dieting, exercise, and anabolic steroid use in adolescent males

Abstract

This cross‐sectional survey study examined body image, dieting and exercise variables, and steroid use in 2,088 high‐school graduates aged 18 years. In contrast to women, more men wished to gain (46%) rather than lose weight (32%). Men who wished to gain weight were more satisfied with their body shape, showed no fear of fatness, and dieted and exercised less frequently than did men who wished to lose weight. The prevalence of dieting was low (4%), even among men who wished to lose weight (9%), and physical exercise was more likely to be used for both weight loss and weight gain. Contrary to expectations, anabolic steroid use was rare (0.6%) and was not associated with a desire for weight gain. Steroid users were more likely to engage in running and swimming than football. The data did not support the notion that anabolic steroid use is widespread among high‐school males. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Physical Activity and Mental Health: The Association Between Exercise and Mood

“…Physical activity can be associated with a condition of alterations in body image found among some weightlifters and bodybuilders, [66][67][68][69][70][71] whereby the individuals, although large and muscular, believe that they are weak and skinny.…”

Body Satisfaction in Gym-active Males: An Exploration of Sexuality, Gender, and Narcissism

“…Investigation into male body image has found that men are divided between those who desire to be leaner and those who desire to be more muscular (e.g., Drewnowski et al 1995;Drewnowski and Yee 1987;Mishkind et al 1986;Silberstein et al 1988). While initial research found no difference between male ideal and perceived body image (Fallon and Rozin 1985), other studies found that 75% of men reported discrepancies between their ideal and perceived bodies.…”

The use of the sociocultural attitudes towards appearance questionnaire with middle school boys and girls

“…However, recent work has revealed several disturbing trends, resulting in an increased interest in the body image, eating and exercise patterns, and anabolic steroid use of boys and men. For example, anabolic steroids, which are taken in an effort to increase body mass, may be used by .6% of adolescent boys (Drewnowski, Kurth, & Krahn, 1995), a rate comparable to that of anorexia nervosa among high school girls.…”