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"Boys' body dissatisfaction has simultaneously increased... research has demonstrated that exposure to images of extremely muscular models contributes to body dissatisfaction and muscle dysmorphia in young men"-ABC News

sibqm_lmvm

November 20, 2012

54 upvotes

/r/MensRights

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/teens-turn-protein-shakes-pump/story?id=17760126#.UKseiIbZeSo

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Post Information

Title	"Boys' body dissatisfaction has simultaneously increased... research has demonstrated that exposure to images of extremely muscular models contributes to body dissatisfaction and muscle dysmorphia in young men"-ABC News
Author	sibqm_lmvm
Upvotes	54
Comments	24
Date	November 20, 2012 6:10 AM UTC (13 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/13hwdw/boys_body_dissatisfaction_has_simultaneously/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/boys-body-dissatisfaction-has-simultaneously.1008782 https://theredarchive.com/post/1008782

Comments

[–][deleted] 12 points13 points14 points 13 years ago* (8 children) | Copy Link

[–]sibqm_lmvm 12 points13 points14 points 13 years ago (6 children) | Copy Link

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points6 points 13 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link

[–]hugolp 4 points5 points6 points 13 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link

[–]typhonblue 6 points7 points8 points 13 years ago (2 children) | Copy Link

[–]AryoBarzan 4 points5 points6 points 13 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link

[–]TeaDrinkingBarbarian 1 point2 points3 points 13 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link

[–]theskepticalidealist 2 points3 points4 points 13 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link

[–]TigerTech 2 points3 points4 points 13 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link

[–]wolfanotaku 2 points3 points4 points 13 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link

[+]SharkSpider 13 years ago [recovered] (6 children) | Copy Link

I'm really not impressed that the article factored using protein supplements under "unhealthy behaviors."

[–]sibqm_lmvm 1 point2 points3 points 13 years ago (2 children) | Copy Link

[+]SharkSpider 13 years ago [recovered] (1 child) | Copy Link

That's not even close to the truth. The most common type of protein is whey, which is essentially evaporated milk that gets separated from the fat and casein through a relatively simple process. With the amount of carbs and sugar in our diets today, there aren't many people (especially athletes) who wouldn't be better off supplementing protein than not doing so.

[–]sibqm_lmvm 4 points5 points6 points 13 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link

[–]Raidicus 1 point2 points3 points 13 years ago (2 children) | Copy Link

There are healthy behaviors that when done in excess become unhealthy. Running, for example. Not only that, but whey protein powder is one of the most commonly misused supplements, and overusing it CAN be unhealthy. It's a diuretic, can cause weight gain (which exacerbates the problem), increases liver enzyme production, and has been found to cause seizures when taken in high doses by some people.

Anyways, the most important thing is that taking protein supplements is really just a warning a sign for those around you. If someone you know is obsessed with working out, with their diet, and with slamming protein shakes and bars....you have to start wondering about their mental state. Gym culture is one of those places where society has trouble differentiating between healthy behavior and damaging ones.

The fact of the matter is some of the people with the best exercise habits also have serious body issues which is why they pursue that passion. It's good that parents especially be aware of this.

[–][deleted] -1 points0 points1 point 13 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link

lol wut.

~70% of Americans are overweight; ~35% of them obese. About 5% of Americans suffer from Aneroxia; ~1% of men.
~70% of Australians are overweight; ~30% of them obese.
~60% of Great Britain is overweight; ~22% of them obese.

Men in the west are outrageously fat, and "gym culture" is somehow damaging? Millions will die of diseases related to alcohol, smoking, and obesity, and an "obsession with working out" is bad? This is another non-issue, hyping a tiny problem and making a hysteria of nothing.

I'm not saying men do not have body image issues; they most certainly do. We should be focusing more on the fact that millions of men are dying every year from cardio, respiratory, and obesity related issues. We should be focusing on the fact that men live 5-7 years less than women. That men kill themselves 4x as much. That men seek medical attention almost a third less. That men have more undiagnosed physical and mental illnesses.

We should not be worried about "gym culture," or being "too fit."

[–]Raidicus 1 point2 points3 points 13 years ago* (0 children) | Copy Link

First off, American obesity statistics are irrelevant because not once did I defend obesity in my above post. I am 100% for people being healthy, exercising, and eating right. If you reread my post, you'll see that I'm simply pointing out that some gym rats are actually being unhealthy in their workout habits. And FYI I never said being "too fit" was a problem, I simply challenged the definition of what "fit" means. There's a huge divide between what society perceives as fit, and what actual health and fitness are (for men and women alike)

I'm not just talking about steroid use, but also overworking their bodies while cyclically packing on pounds and starving themselves. I've had friends who are pretty healthy about pursuing their excercise regimen but their mental state is similiar to an Anorexic. They look in the mirror and they're never impressed, never proud of their accomplishments, obsessing over celebrities bodies and workout regimes, and idealizing a "look" that isn't even ideal (extremely low body fat, only working their pecs and arms, etc).

Basically, they exhibit signs of body dysmorphia but it goes completely unnoticed by those around them who have been brainwashed to think that going to the gym automatically means healthy. Which simply isn't the case. Health is about balancing strength, cardio, diet and body fat percentages. Humans weren't meant to have giant pecs and biceps with skinny legs, zero fat and waxed bodies. And men aren't meant to stare in the mirror cursing their genes, thinking one more set on the bench press will make them more attractive, more successful, more confident, more desirable to women. Just look at body builders if you want to see a really extreme version of my point. Men who become obsessed with working out can damage their bodies in ways every bit as bad as over-eaters and the chronically sedentary. They can also damage their mental state by buying into that image of masculinity.

Even if a man is working out in ways 100% healthy to his body, there may be psychological issues he should be working on in conjunction with his physical state. I had a friend get in AMAZING shape one summer, but his low self esteem never went away and he ended up turning to misguided PUA type thinking that lead him to even more damaging relationships with women than the ones he had been in before.

I definitely agree with you that men are highly at risk from cardiac, respiratory and obesity related issues. I also agree that men should do both cardio and strength training exercises to reduce their risks of developing those issues. They should also be working on their mental well being, making sure that exercise is about their well-being and not to obtain an unrealistic physical ideal purely for aesthetic purposes (an ideal they probably will never obtain). This is why i really value martial arts training, even though I don't partake myself (I stick to jogging and lifting). Because a big part of the training is about developing peace of mind and true confidence. Inner peace, if you will. Even the army stresses the importance of mental training in conjecture with the physical. That's really all I was trying to say.

[+][deleted] 13 years ago* (6 children) | Copy Link

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[+][deleted] 13 years ago (5 children) | Copy Link

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[+][deleted] 13 years ago* (4 children) | Copy Link

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[+][deleted] 13 years ago (3 children) | Copy Link

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[–]unkleman -1 points0 points1 point 13 years ago (2 children) | Copy Link

Running is not healthier than lifting. It can be, but the reverse is true as well. Heavy lifters can easily go through the same cardiovascular activity as a runner, the main difference is how the muscles are impacted by the activity. Those baselines you gave might work as a fuzzy indicator for the fitness level of children, but they are not really applicable for gauging the health of adults.

We should be emphasizing what our bodies can do, a sexy shape is a perk of that. But to be unhappy with your shape isn't the same thing as desiring to be healthy.

No, but one leads to the other. Learning is a positive thing, which is why a child who wants education because he is dissatisfied with his current level of knowledge should be supported. Education isn't only seen as good for someone who wants to see how far they can go, people who are not happy with where they are deserve to be appreciated as well.

Same with fitness. It is an extremely positive thing and it usually starts with someone who is not satisfied with where they are at, then they get into it, then they want to see how far they can go. Maybe you skipped that first level as it happens for some people, but it is a very powerful motivational source to achieve.

[+][deleted] 13 years ago (1 child) | Copy Link

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[–]unkleman -1 points0 points1 point 13 years ago (0 children) | Copy Link

But focusing on getting a degree and not the actual process of acquiring knowledge is what causes so many kids to go into college and take the easiest courses, or otherwise slack off. The degree is great, but focusing on the idea that everyone needs a degree has screwed up the pursuit of knowledge in the US.

I for one don't care if people want to go to school for personal enrichment or just to say they have a degree. I think it is the secondary market for student loan derivatives which is driving up the costs and causing issues. The world needs ditch diggers too, and if they want a philosophy degree, good for them.

I think the societal pressure to improve needs to based more around health, actual health. Not looking like Barbie or Ken, which is where we are right now as a society. Right now we want looks not process. Which is why there's an industry for men's muscle implants, and stomach stapling and dumbass diet pills. We need to get our society off the idea that end shape is all that matters because everyone is looking for shortcuts. People in our society have a great deal of body dissatisfaction, but few people have a desire to put in the time. So in my opinion body dissatisfaction isn't the right motivator.

I disagree. The fundamentals need to be there, but what you call shortcuts, I call science. I am not a fan of the burnt potatoe look some go for, but there is a lot more harmful things a person could choose to do rather than go tanning.

I do not think people should be satisfied as they are. There are always greater achievement they should strive for. Dismorphic people don't see when they need to define a new goal and overdo a single one. It is a mental illness, which has no bearing on how other people should see themselves.

The pursuit of pure health for its own sake is very noble, but any self improvement should be encouraged.