Latest news with #PLOSMentalHealth
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Overuse of muscle-building products associated with body image condition
Muscle-building supplements are increasingly popular with teen boys and young men. New research suggests overuse of products like whey powder or creatine may be affecting young people's mental health as well as their their physical health. 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. They were asked about their use of six different common workout products — amino acids, creatine monohydrate, pre-workout drinks or powders, protein bars, weight or mass gainers, and whey protein shakes or powders. Protein bars were the most commonly consumed, followed by whey protein shakes or powders and creatine. The study also asked about body image, asking for responses to statements such as, 'I feel like I have too much body fat' or 'I feel depressed when I miss one or more workout days.' Whether they used supplements or not, 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, what the researchers called greater 'drive for size' (the desire to have bigger muscles) and 'functional impairment' (the inability to work or maintain a social life). On the positive side, young people who used supplements were generally satisfied with how their bodies were responding to them, the study showed. Boys and young men can be susceptible to fixating on their muscles, which can lead to obsessive thoughts and exercising to build muscle — weightlifting for many hours a day, for example — to the point it interferes with daily life, Kyle Ganson, lead study author and assistant professor of clinical social work at the University of Toronto, said. It's not known how many people in general are affected by this kind of body dissatisfaction, but it's thought to be 'quite rampant in the gym space,' Ganson said. Ganson said the findings reflect data and trends seen in the U.S. as well. About 55% adolescents and young men in the U.S. use bodybuilding supplements, according to some estimates. The Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade association and lobbying group that represents businesses that manufacture supplements, said in a statement released after the study: "The most obvious explanation is that people who are dissatisfied with their appearance take steps to change it. That might mean adjusting their diet, exercising more, or taking supplements to support their goals. In fact, the study itself found that supplement users were actually more satisfied with their progress than non-users." 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. It doesn't help that many fitness influencers use filters that deceive others into thinking their appearance is real or naturally attainable, said Dr. Jesse Mills, a urologist and men's health specialist with UCLA Health, who was not involved in the study. 'It's a global trend towards anime-like figures and cartoonish proportions,' Mills said. 'I really think body dysmorphia in general is the new pandemic.' In a study Ganson published last year, nearly half of respondents said online influencers who promoted workout supplements were a 'primary' motivation for their own use of the products. The hashtag #creatine, for example, has over 382,000 posts, many of which are flagged with 'creator earns commission' warnings. The pressure to meet muscular body standards may motivate young men and boys to use supplements more often, to the point where 'it's like second nature,' Ganson said. Interestingly, among girls and women, supplement use was also associated with stronger desires for bigger, more toned muscles. The study's findings underscore the dangerous reality that 'companies are profiting off the mental health distress of young people,' said S. Bryn Austin, a social epidemiologist and behavioral scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study. 'We have a public health problem here.' What's more, these companies don't have to prove their products' safety before hitting the market, Bryn added. Some bodybuilding supplements have been found to be contaminated with prescription drugs, anabolic steroids and toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium, according to a recent report by the Clean Label Project. Evidence is mixed whether the supplements do all they claim, like enhance athletic performance and improve muscle stamina. But when used appropriately, many of the ingredients in muscle-building supplements such as whey protein are safe. Some, like creatine, have been shown to boost muscle mass and strength. Using supplements isn't 'inherently problematic,' Ganson said. Once started, though, 'it's kind of like a Pandora's box,' especially for boys and young men who often turn to social media for advice. 'That's why you should be careful when taking these supplements; they can only support your goals in so many ways.' Mills, the men's health specialist, cautioned that, for some young men, supplement powders may not be enough. 'Imagine you're an impressionable 18- to 25-year-old who's working out but not seeing the gains that other guys have,' said Mills, who emphasized that genetics can make it harder for some people to grow muscle. 'That is certainly a gateway to, 'what else is out there?'' Bryn's team conducted a study published last year in the journal JAMA Network Open that followed 4,000 boys and young men ages 10–27 over 14 years. The group found that people who used muscle-building supplements were eight times more likely to start anabolic steroids compared to those who didn't. Steroids are 'an incredibly effective way to put on lots of mass in a very little bit of time,' Mills said. Because even low doses are associated with side effects, this dangerous mental and physical cycle has become a 'public health concern.' This article was originally published on
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Overuse of muscle-building products associated with body image condition
Muscle-building supplements are increasingly popular with teen boys and young men. New research suggests overuse of products like whey powder or creatine may be affecting young people's mental health as well as their their physical health. 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. They were asked about their use of six different common workout products — amino acids, creatine monohydrate, pre-workout drinks or powders, protein bars, weight or mass gainers, and whey protein shakes or powders. Protein bars were the most commonly consumed, followed by whey protein shakes or powders and creatine. The study also asked about body image, asking for responses to statements such as, 'I feel like I have too much body fat' or 'I feel depressed when I miss one or more workout days.' Whether they used supplements or not, 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, what the researchers called greater 'drive for size' (the desire to have bigger muscles) and 'functional impairment' (the inability to work or maintain a social life). On the positive side, young people who used supplements were generally satisfied with how their bodies were responding to them, the study showed. Boys and young men can be susceptible to fixating on their muscles, which can lead to obsessive thoughts and exercising to build muscle — weightlifting for many hours a day, for example — to the point it interferes with daily life, Kyle Ganson, lead study author and assistant professor of clinical social work at the University of Toronto, said. It's not known how many people in general are affected by this kind of body dissatisfaction, but it's thought to be 'quite rampant in the gym space,' Ganson said. Ganson said the findings reflect data and trends seen in the U.S. as well. About 55% adolescents and young men in the U.S. use bodybuilding supplements, according to some estimates. The Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade association and lobbying group that represents businesses that manufacture supplements, said in a statement released after the study: "The most obvious explanation is that people who are dissatisfied with their appearance take steps to change it. That might mean adjusting their diet, exercising more, or taking supplements to support their goals. In fact, the study itself found that supplement users were actually more satisfied with their progress than non-users." 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. It doesn't help that many fitness influencers use filters that deceive others into thinking their appearance is real or naturally attainable, said Dr. Jesse Mills, a urologist and men's health specialist with UCLA Health, who was not involved in the study. 'It's a global trend towards anime-like figures and cartoonish proportions,' Mills said. 'I really think body dysmorphia in general is the new pandemic.' In a study Ganson published last year, nearly half of respondents said online influencers who promoted workout supplements were a 'primary' motivation for their own use of the products. The hashtag #creatine, for example, has over 382,000 posts, many of which are flagged with 'creator earns commission' warnings. The pressure to meet muscular body standards may motivate young men and boys to use supplements more often, to the point where 'it's like second nature,' Ganson said. Interestingly, among girls and women, supplement use was also associated with stronger desires for bigger, more toned muscles. The study's findings underscore the dangerous reality that 'companies are profiting off the mental health distress of young people,' said S. Bryn Austin, a social epidemiologist and behavioral scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study. 'We have a public health problem here.' What's more, these companies don't have to prove their products' safety before hitting the market, Bryn added. Some bodybuilding supplements have been found to be contaminated with prescription drugs, anabolic steroids and toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium, according to a recent report by the Clean Label Project. Evidence is mixed whether the supplements do all they claim, like enhance athletic performance and improve muscle stamina. But when used appropriately, many of the ingredients in muscle-building supplements such as whey protein are safe. Some, like creatine, have been shown to boost muscle mass and strength. Using supplements isn't 'inherently problematic,' Ganson said. Once started, though, 'it's kind of like a Pandora's box,' especially for boys and young men who often turn to social media for advice. 'That's why you should be careful when taking these supplements; they can only support your goals in so many ways.' Mills, the men's health specialist, cautioned that, for some young men, supplement powders may not be enough. 'Imagine you're an impressionable 18- to 25-year-old who's working out but not seeing the gains that other guys have,' said Mills, who emphasized that genetics can make it harder for some people to grow muscle. 'That is certainly a gateway to, 'what else is out there?'' Bryn's team conducted a study published last year in the journal JAMA Network Open that followed 4,000 boys and young men ages 10–27 over 14 years. The group found that people who used muscle-building supplements were eight times more likely to start anabolic steroids compared to those who didn't. Steroids are 'an incredibly effective way to put on lots of mass in a very little bit of time,' Mills said. Because even low doses are associated with side effects, this dangerous mental and physical cycle has become a 'public health concern.' This article was originally published on
NBC News
21-02-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Overuse of muscle-building products associated with body image condition
Muscle-building supplements are increasingly popular with teen boys and young men. New research suggests overuse of products like whey powder or creatine may be affecting young people's mental health as well as their their physical health. 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. They were asked about their use of six different common workout products — amino acids, creatine monohydrate, pre-workout drinks or powders, protein bars, weight or mass gainers, and whey protein shakes or powders. Protein bars were the most commonly consumed, followed by whey protein shakes or powders and creatine. The study also asked about body image, asking for responses to statements such as, 'I feel like I have too much body fat' or 'I feel depressed when I miss one or more workout days.' Whether they used supplements or not, 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, what the researchers called greater 'drive for size' (the desire to have bigger muscles) and 'functional impairment' (the inability to work or maintain a social life). On the positive side, young people who used supplements were generally satisfied with how their bodies were responding to them, the study showed. Boys and young men can be susceptible to fixating on their muscles, which can lead to obsessive thoughts and exercising to build muscle — weightlifting for many hours a day, for example — to the point it interferes with daily life, Kyle Ganson, lead study author and assistant professor of clinical social work at the University of Toronto, said. It's not known how many people in general are affected by this kind of body dissatisfaction, but it's thought to be 'quite rampant in the gym space,' Ganson said. Ganson said the findings reflect data and trends seen in the U.S. as well. About 55% adolescents and young men in the U.S. use bodybuilding supplements, according to some estimates. The Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade association and lobbying group that represents businesses that manufacture supplements, said in a statement released after the study: "The most obvious explanation is that people who are dissatisfied with their appearance take steps to change it. That might mean adjusting their diet, exercising more, or taking supplements to support their goals. In fact, the study itself found that supplement users were actually more satisfied with their progress than non-users." 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. It doesn't help that many fitness influencers use filters that deceive others into thinking their appearance is real or naturally attainable, said Dr. Jesse Mills, a urologist and men's health specialist with UCLA Health, who was not involved in the study. 'It's a global trend towards anime-like figures and cartoonish proportions,' Mills said. 'I really think body dysmorphia in general is the new pandemic.' In a study Ganson published last year, nearly half of respondents said online influencers who promoted workout supplements were a 'primary' motivation for their own use of the products. The hashtag #creatine, for example, has over 382,000 posts, many of which are flagged with 'creator earns commission' warnings. The pressure to meet muscular body standards may motivate young men and boys to use supplements more often, to the point where 'it's like second nature,' Ganson said. Interestingly, among girls and women, supplement use was also associated with stronger desires for bigger, more toned muscles. The study's findings underscore the dangerous reality that 'companies are profiting off the mental health distress of young people,' said S. Bryn Austin, a social epidemiologist and behavioral scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study. 'We have a public health problem here.' What's more, these companies don't have to prove their products' safety before hitting the market, Bryn added. Some bodybuilding supplements have been found to be contaminated with prescription drugs, anabolic steroids and toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium, according to a recent report by the Clean Label Project. Evidence is mixed whether the supplements do all they claim, like enhance athletic performance and improve muscle stamina. But when used appropriately, many of the ingredients in muscle-building supplements such as whey protein are safe. Some, like creatine, have been shown to boost muscle mass and strength. Using supplements isn't 'inherently problematic,' Ganson said. Once started, though, 'it's kind of like a Pandora's box,' especially for boys and young men who often turn to social media for advice. 'That's why you should be careful when taking these supplements; they can only support your goals in so many ways.' Mills, the men's health specialist, cautioned that, for some young men, supplement powders may not be enough. 'Imagine you're an impressionable 18- to 25-year-old who's working out but not seeing the gains that other guys have,' said Mills, who emphasized that genetics can make it harder for some people to grow muscle. 'That is certainly a gateway to, 'what else is out there?'' Bryn's team conducted a study published last year in the journal JAMA Network Open that followed 4,000 boys and young men ages 10–27 over 14 years. The group found that people who used muscle-building supplements were eight times more likely to start anabolic steroids compared to those who didn't. Steroids are 'an incredibly effective way to put on lots of mass in a very little bit of time,' Mills said. Because even low doses are associated with side effects, this dangerous mental and physical cycle has become a 'public health concern.'
CNN
20-02-2025
- Health
- CNN
Muscle-building supplements may put teens at risk for a body image disorder, study finds
Protein shakes, pre-workout mixes and other supplements aren't always just a part of a gym routine. In adolescents and young adults, they could be connected to a body image disorder that exhibits a pathological focus on muscle development and leanness, according to new research. 'The use of 6 different dietary supplements intended for muscle building was associated with greater symptoms of muscle dysmorphia,' said lead study author Dr. Kyle Ganson, assistant professor in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, via email. 'This included whey protein powder and creatine, both of which are commonly used among young people trying to gain muscle.' The association was especially strong with supplements for gaining weight or mass, and the symptoms, such as excessive gym time and obsessing over food intake, increased as the number of supplements used grew, according to a new study published Wednesday in journal PLOS Mental Health. The study team analyzed data from 2,731 participants ages 16 to 30 of the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors, which aims to gather information on disordered eating, muscle-building behavior, body image and social health. The researchers analyzed the participants' reports of supplement use against their symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, which were assessed using the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory, according to the study. The study is observational, meaning it's hard to say whether the use of supplements increased the symptoms of muscle dysmorphia or if people with more muscle dysmorphia symptoms were more likely to take more supplements, said Dr. Gail Saltz, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College. Saltz was not involved in the research. This study shows that younger people who may not use anabolic steroids, which have been found to be harmful, might still be using other substances to treat their muscle dysmorphia, and the public needs to be more aware, Saltz said. 'Many people think supplements are safe because it's just a supplement,' she said. 'But in fact, that is not always the case.' What is muscle dysmorphic disorder? Muscle dysmorphia is a subset of body dysmorphic disorder, in which an individual is preoccupied with an imagined defect in their appearance, Saltz said. Those with muscle dysmorphia believe their body should be leaner and more muscular. 'People who experience muscle dysmorphia often have significant challenges in their social lives, and can experience severe emotional distress,' Ganson said. 'Not to mention, these individuals may go to extreme lengths to achieve their body ideal, such as using anabolic steroids.' And it isn't just a matter of lowered confidence, Saltz said. Even if people with this disorder reach the ideal image they are striving for, it doesn't fix the distress. 'When they look in the mirror, they don't see what you see when you look at them,' she said. Other warning signs include having a rigid exercise routine, experiencing emotional distress, and facing difficulty completing expectations such as school and work, Ganson said. You might also see people with muscle dysmorphic disorder avoiding socially normal body exposure — such as removing their shirts at the beach — or missing social gatherings because of feelings around their appearance, Saltz added. What's so bad about supplements? Using supplements to change a body's appearance is common. While 2.2% of young adult males report using steroids, 36.3% report using protein powders and shakes, while 10.1% said they use other muscle-building substances such as creatine and growth hormones, according to a June 2022 study. Most supplements are readily available with little to no regulation, and 'studies analyzing these products have found that many are mislabeled and are tainted with harmful substances like anabolic steroids,' said study coauthor Dr. Jason Nagata, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. The US Food and Drug Administration does monitor adverse health impacts and occasionally inspects manufacturing facilities. However, under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, the agency does not have jurisdiction to approve dietary supplements before they enter the public marketplace. There are also few studies on supplements' safety and efficacy, Nagata added. 'Muscle-building supplements, which may be legal, can serve as gateway drugs to steroid use,' Nagata said. 'We previously found that young adults using muscle-building substances were three times more likely to start anabolic steroid use seven years later.' Pre-workout supplements often contain caffeine — some with the same amount found in several cups of coffee, he added. Some people 'dry scoop' before a workout or consume protein powder dry without mixing in water, Nagata added. 'Dry scooping is particularly dangerous practice because it provides a high and potent dose of a product that is meant to be diluted in water,' he said. 'Dry scooping provides a pure and highly concentrated burst of a product that can have toxic effects.' How to treat muscle dysmorphia One important step is to challenge the information and ideals coming out of social media, especially for teens who are undergoing rapid changes and making frequent comparisons with others during puberty, Nagata said. 'Social media posts about muscle-building supplements and anabolic steroids overwhelmingly demonstrate positive muscle-building effects,' he said. 'Social media can exacerbate body comparisons and lead to muscle dissatisfaction and the use of anabolic steroids or other muscle-building drugs and supplements in teens.' This use of social media is especially true for boys, who are more likely to allow for a public following than girls and are more likely to show off muscles online than faces, Nagata said. 'Men's bodies are on display more than ever on social media, especially through influencer accounts. The idealized bodies that influencers post may be heavily filtered or the best of hundreds of photos,' he added. When it comes to treating muscle dysmorphia, there are many methods that can be helpful, including different forms of cognitive behavioral therapy that help examine thought patterns and reframe perceptions, Saltz said. Sometimes medications –– such as those used to treat anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder –– are needed as well, she added. Eating disorder resources US: National Eating Disorders AssociationThe NEDA has a confidential, toll-free helpline at 800-931-2237 as well as an online click-to-chat service. For 24/7 crisis support, text 'NEDA' to NEDA also has a list of online and free or low-cost National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated DisordersANAD runs a helpline at 888-375-7767 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT and provides links to support groups and treatment National Eating Disorders CollaborationA call center at 800-334-673 and online chat run by the Butterfly Foundation is open 8 a.m. to midnight AET every day except public Beat (formerly known as the Eating Disorders Association)Helplines for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are open 9 a.m. to midnight weekdays and 4 p.m. to midnight weekends and bank holidays, every day of the year. Families, health care professionals and sports coaches are key in helping to identify muscle dysmorphia in adolescents and young adults, Saltz said. Because the imagined defect feels so real to the person experiencing the condition, it can be hard to have insight into the problem, she added. The people around an individual with muscle dysmorphia can help by knowing what to look for.
CNN
19-02-2025
- Health
- CNN
Muscle-building supplements may put teens at risk for a body image disorder, study finds
Protein shakes, pre-workout mixes and other supplements aren't always just a part of a gym routine. In adolescents and young adults, they could be connected to a body image disorder that exhibits a pathological focus on muscle development and leanness, according to new research. 'The use of 6 different dietary supplements intended for muscle building was associated with greater symptoms of muscle dysmorphia,' said lead study author Dr. Kyle Ganson, assistant professor in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, via email. 'This included whey protein powder and creatine, both of which are commonly used among young people trying to gain muscle.' The association was especially strong with supplements for gaining weight or mass, and the symptoms, such as excessive gym time and obsessing over food intake, increased as the number of supplements used grew, according to a new study published Wednesday in journal PLOS Mental Health. The study team analyzed data from 2,731 participants ages 16 to 30 of the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors, which aims to gather information on disordered eating, muscle-building behavior, body image and social health. The researchers analyzed the participants' reports of supplement use against their symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, which were assessed using the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory, according to the study. The study is observational, meaning it's hard to say whether the use of supplements increased the symptoms of muscle dysmorphia or if people with more muscle dysmorphia symptoms were more likely to take more supplements, said Dr. Gail Saltz, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College. Saltz was not involved in the research. This study shows that younger people who may not use anabolic steroids, which have been found to be harmful, might still be using other substances to treat their muscle dysmorphia, and the public needs to be more aware, Saltz said. 'Many people think supplements are safe because it's just a supplement,' she said. 'But in fact, that is not always the case.' What is muscle dysmorphic disorder? Muscle dysmorphia is a subset of body dysmorphic disorder, in which an individual is preoccupied with an imagined defect in their appearance, Saltz said. Those with muscle dysmorphia believe their body should be leaner and more muscular. 'People who experience muscle dysmorphia often have significant challenges in their social lives, and can experience severe emotional distress,' Ganson said. 'Not to mention, these individuals may go to extreme lengths to achieve their body ideal, such as using anabolic steroids.' And it isn't just a matter of lowered confidence, Saltz said. Even if people with this disorder reach the ideal image they are striving for, it doesn't fix the distress. 'When they look in the mirror, they don't see what you see when you look at them,' she said. Other warning signs include having a rigid exercise routine, experiencing emotional distress, and facing difficulty completing expectations such as school and work, Ganson said. You might also see people with muscle dysmorphic disorder avoiding socially normal body exposure — such as removing their shirts at the beach — or missing social gatherings because of feelings around their appearance, Saltz added. What's so bad about supplements? Using supplements to change a body's appearance is common. While 2.2% of young adult males report using steroids, 36.3% report using protein powders and shakes, while 10.1% said they use other muscle-building substances such as creatine and growth hormones, according to a June 2022 study. Most supplements are readily available with little to no regulation, and 'studies analyzing these products have found that many are mislabeled and are tainted with harmful substances like anabolic steroids,' said study coauthor Dr. Jason Nagata, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. The US Food and Drug Administration does monitor adverse health impacts and occasionally inspects manufacturing facilities. However, under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, the agency does not have jurisdiction to approve dietary supplements before they enter the public marketplace. There are also few studies on supplements' safety and efficacy, Nagata added. 'Muscle-building supplements, which may be legal, can serve as gateway drugs to steroid use,' Nagata said. 'We previously found that young adults using muscle-building substances were three times more likely to start anabolic steroid use seven years later.' Pre-workout supplements often contain caffeine — some with the same amount found in several cups of coffee, he added. Some people 'dry scoop' before a workout or consume protein powder dry without mixing in water, Nagata added. 'Dry scooping is particularly dangerous practice because it provides a high and potent dose of a product that is meant to be diluted in water,' he said. 'Dry scooping provides a pure and highly concentrated burst of a product that can have toxic effects.' How to treat muscle dysmorphia One important step is to challenge the information and ideals coming out of social media, especially for teens who are undergoing rapid changes and making frequent comparisons with others during puberty, Nagata said. 'Social media posts about muscle-building supplements and anabolic steroids overwhelmingly demonstrate positive muscle-building effects,' he said. 'Social media can exacerbate body comparisons and lead to muscle dissatisfaction and the use of anabolic steroids or other muscle-building drugs and supplements in teens.' This use of social media is especially true for boys, who are more likely to allow for a public following than girls and are more likely to show off muscles online than faces, Nagata said. 'Men's bodies are on display more than ever on social media, especially through influencer accounts. The idealized bodies that influencers post may be heavily filtered or the best of hundreds of photos,' he added. When it comes to treating muscle dysmorphia, there are many methods that can be helpful, including different forms of cognitive behavioral therapy that help examine thought patterns and reframe perceptions, Saltz said. Sometimes medications –– such as those used to treat anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder –– are needed as well, she added. Eating disorder resources US: National Eating Disorders AssociationThe NEDA has a confidential, toll-free helpline at 800-931-2237 as well as an online click-to-chat service. For 24/7 crisis support, text 'NEDA' to NEDA also has a list of online and free or low-cost National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated DisordersANAD runs a helpline at 888-375-7767 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT and provides links to support groups and treatment National Eating Disorders CollaborationA call center at 800-334-673 and online chat run by the Butterfly Foundation is open 8 a.m. to midnight AET every day except public Beat (formerly known as the Eating Disorders Association)Helplines for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are open 9 a.m. to midnight weekdays and 4 p.m. to midnight weekends and bank holidays, every day of the year. Families, health care professionals and sports coaches are key in helping to identify muscle dysmorphia in adolescents and young adults, Saltz said. Because the imagined defect feels so real to the person experiencing the condition, it can be hard to have insight into the problem, she added. The people around an individual with muscle dysmorphia can help by knowing what to look for.
