Rosa Behar1, Daniela Molinari. 1. Departamento de Psiquiatría, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile. rositabehar@vtr.net
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Muscle dysmorphia or vigorexia is a disorder in which a person becomes obsessed with the idea that he or she is not muscular enough. AIM: To assess physical exercise, eating behaviors and the presence of muscle dysmorphia among weightlifters and medical students. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cross sectional evaluation of 88 male weightlifters aged 27 ± 7 years and 84 male medical students aged 22 ± 1 year was made. Eating behaviors were evaluated using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40) and the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI). The perception of body image was assessed using the Graduate Hannover Scale (GHS). RESULTS: Prevalence of muscle dysmorphia among weightlifters was 13.6%. Both groups did not differ in body dissatisfaction. Interest in appearance among weightlifters was significantly higher than in students and ranged significantly higher in EAT-40 and EDI (p < 0.001). Other sports were practiced with the same frequency by weightlifters and students. Weightlifters expended more time than students exercising to improve their appearance (p < 0.005). Forty two percent of weightlifters with muscle dysmorphia displayed abuse of anabolics and 67% used other substances to improve their performance (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of muscle dysmorphia among weightlifters was confirmed. They were dissatisfied with their body image and more concerned with their physical appearance than those without muscle dysmorphia and/or students. Their anabolic abuse rate was high. Our findings were similar to those reported in the international literature.
BACKGROUND:Muscle dysmorphia or vigorexia is a disorder in which a person becomes obsessed with the idea that he or she is not muscular enough. AIM: To assess physical exercise, eating behaviors and the presence of muscle dysmorphia among weightlifters and medical students. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cross sectional evaluation of 88 male weightlifters aged 27 ± 7 years and 84 male medical students aged 22 ± 1 year was made. Eating behaviors were evaluated using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40) and the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI). The perception of body image was assessed using the Graduate Hannover Scale (GHS). RESULTS: Prevalence of muscle dysmorphia among weightlifters was 13.6%. Both groups did not differ in body dissatisfaction. Interest in appearance among weightlifters was significantly higher than in students and ranged significantly higher in EAT-40 and EDI (p < 0.001). Other sports were practiced with the same frequency by weightlifters and students. Weightlifters expended more time than students exercising to improve their appearance (p < 0.005). Forty two percent of weightlifters with muscle dysmorphia displayed abuse of anabolics and 67% used other substances to improve their performance (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of muscle dysmorphia among weightlifters was confirmed. They were dissatisfied with their body image and more concerned with their physical appearance than those without muscle dysmorphia and/or students. Their anabolic abuse rate was high. Our findings were similar to those reported in the international literature.
Authors: Nadir Contesini; Fernando Adami; Márcia de-Toledo Blake; Carlos Bm Monteiro; Luiz C Abreu; Vitor E Valenti; Fernando S Almeida; Alexandre P Luciano; Marco A Cardoso; Jucemar Benedet; Francisco de Assis Guedes de Vasconcelos; Claudio Leone; Deivis Elton Schlickmann Frainer Journal: Int Arch Med Date: 2013-05-26