MD: strong men’s syndrome |
THE PSYCHOLOGISTS of our body culture have identified a new syndrome, which reflects men’s increasing preoccupation with their physiques. Muscular dysmorphia (MD) is a condition found predominantly among highly muscular men, who become pathologically convinced that they look puny.
The syndrome is a unique form of body dysmorphic disorder, where, rather than being dissatisfied with a particular body part, the affected person is dissatisfied with his whole body. Men with MD, although often very muscular, believe themselves to be poorly built – this leads them to become obsessed with exercising, particularly weightlifting, and at risk of misusing anabolic steroids. People with MD also tend to avoid situations and places where they might be seen without clothing, and often wear many layers of clothing even in hot weather, to avoid their bodies being seen – exposure would cause them severe distress. For many, the syndrome damages both their social relations and their functioning at work.
A study, reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, investigated the physical self-image of groups of male weightlifters in Boston, Massachusetts. The researchers, from Loughborough University and Harvard Medical School, compared groups of men with and without MD to identify common factors that may promote the syndrome; both groups of men had similar education qualifications, jobs and build, and followed similar exercise patterns.
The researchers found that men with MD considered themselves to be less physically attractive and less healthy than their peers, a combination of beliefs that has previously been found in women with eating disorders. The MD group were also significantly more likely to be dissatisfied with their overall body appearance, muscle tone, and weight, and much more likely than the comparison group to be worried about gaining fat; they were particularly anxious about the look of their buttocks, hips, thighs and legs.
The report’s authors warn that as more men take up weight-training, MD is likely to become increasingly common. They conclude: “In a changing culture where men’s bodies are becoming more visible …, MD in men may be one negative consequence of physical exercise behaviour, particularly weight training, being motivated primarily be physical appearance.” |
