A recent study has provided insights into the potential dangers linked to men’s preoccupation with attaining the ideal set of abdominal muscles, highlighting a significantly elevated risk of depression among such individuals.
Some researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in partnership with Harvard University, conducted an extensive examination of male body image disorder and its correlation with mental health, offering valuable understanding of this concerning phenomenon.
The study’s results indicate that men who are excessively concerned about their physical appearance are at a higher risk not only of experiencing depression but also of engaging in detrimental behaviors like binge drinking on weekends and using illegal supplements such as anabolic steroids.
Remarkably, the research uncovered that approximately 10% of men suffer from body image disorder, perceiving themselves as overweight and desiring a thinner physique.
To arrive at these conclusions, researchers interviewed 2,460 men aged 18-32, delving into their gym habits and mindsets.
Common statements emerging from these interviews included sentiments like feeling guilty for missing a workout, dissatisfaction with chest muscularity, and contemplation of using anabolic steroids.
“The problem arises when the bodies of professional athletes like Ronaldo become the ideal for regular young men who have regular young men who have jobs, studies and family,” Dr. Trine Tetlie Eik-Nes, the lead researcher revealed,
Unrealistic Body Ideals:
Dr. Eik-Nes highlighted the unrealistic expectations placed on men and women in terms of body image.
“Training has to be your full-time job if you want to look like Ronaldo,” he underscored.
Dr. Eik-Nes emphasized that achieving the physique of an athlete like Ronaldo is unrealistic for regular individuals with diverse responsibilities.
“He belongs to one in a thousand of the world’s population who make their living from sports. Some people train as if they were on the national team, but they’re only exercisers.
He also pointed out that narrow ideals, prevalent in today’s society, present challenges for individuals of both genders, perpetuating unrealistic body standards.
“Girls are supposed to be thin and have small waistlines. Boys should have wide shoulders. Those are the narrow ideals that that people grow up with today. This unrealistic body image is challenging for men and women,” he added.