K Camero, NBC News, Feb 21, 2025. Overuse of muscle-building products associated with body image condition
An excerpt:
A Canadian study, published Wednesday in the journal PLOS Mental Health, finds that young people who consume multiple muscle-building products are more likely to show symptoms of a condition called muscle dysphoria…
About 2,730 Canadian teens and adults ages 16–30, mostly white males and females, were recruited via Instagram and Snapchat advertisements…
26% of the boys and men scored above the level for muscle dysmorphia — that is, being extremely preoccupied with a perceived lack of muscle mass or tone. Use of the workout supplements and products was associated with more symptoms of muscle dysmorphia…
About 55% adolescents and young men in the U.S. use bodybuilding supplements, according to some estimates…
Experts said the findings spotlight how unrealistic body ideals — often fueled by fitness influencers who promote or sell workout supplements online — may be driving more children and young adults to overuse powders or pills.
My take: The patients in this study may not be representative of the entire population; thus, the percentages of those affected should be interpreted carefully. Nevertheless, it is likely that a very significant proportion of young men have “muscle dysphoria” (also termed “‘bigorexia”). Supplements are poorly regulated and can result in adverse effects at any dosage (see posts below).
Related blog posts:
- “Bigorexia” and Body Image Distortion in Males
- FDA’s Very Limited Ability to Regulate Dietary Supplements
- Buyer Beware: Supplement at Your Own Risk | gutsandgrowth
- So, What Could Go Wrong With Unregulated Dietary Supplements
- Dietary supplements — safe and effective? | gutsandgrowth
- “Supplements and Safety” | gutsandgrowth
- Live longer -don’t take your vitamins?
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