Eating disorders affecting more men and boys in Australia
An article by Mike
Posted March 14, 2012 An article by Sarah Gillman in ABC Hobart talks about the fact that issues about eating and body image are becoming a problem for more and more boys and men.
It appears that not only women are affected by the stereotypical pictures.
An increasing number of Tasmanian males are feeling the pressure to conform to a certain body image portrayed in the media and held up as the ideal musculine physique.
Clinical Psychologist Dr Rocco Crino says the image is stereotypically lean, muscular and often hairless.
“For many young people these sorts of images have no real effect but I think for some who have certain vulnerabilities in terms of self esteem, in terms of body image disturbance, it can have a significant impact,” he says.
“Muscle dysmorphia is a condition where people who a relatively muscley see themselves as not being muscular enough and as a result become obsessed with building themselves up.”
Research shows that 50 to 100 per cent of individuals with muscle dysmorphia are using, or have used, steroids which can create additional health conditions including heart and liver problems and mental illness.
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