What is it about?
Men and women both experience eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, however, presentations of this disorder can vary and are individual to the person. For men, body dissatisfaction often revolves around a desire to be more muscular rather than thinner. Muscle dysmorphia is a type of body dissatisfaction, where men may become obsessed with the idea that they are not muscular enough, even if they are already very fit. This condition is more common in men and can lead to body image issues, excessive exercise, unhealthy eating focused on building muscle, and the use of steroids. This paper explores the factors that may contribute to muscle dysmorphia, and how it affects men’s mental and physical health, relationships, and finances. It also discusses implications for nursing care.
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Why is it important?
Overall, understanding muscle dysmorphia through research is crucial for improving awareness, prevention, and treatment strategies, ultimately aiming to enhance individuals, and in this case men's overall health and quality of life.
Perspectives
We hope you find this article informative and thought-provoking.
Sarah Watters
University of Dublin Trinity College
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Muscle dysmorphia: an under-recognised aspect of body dissatisfaction in men, British Journal of Nursing, June 2024, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2023.0176.
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