United States: Protein shakes with pre-workout mixes, and extra performance-enhancing supplements serve more functions than working out at the gym.
The new research depicts how these products in adolescents and young adults may indicate an abnormal obsession with developing lean muscles.
More about the findings
According to the lead study author, Dr. Kyle Ganson, assistant professor in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, “The use of 6 different dietary supplements intended for muscle building was associated with greater symptoms of muscle dysmorphia,” CNN Health reported.
“This included whey protein powder and creatine, both of which are commonly used among young people trying to gain muscle,” Ganson added.
Researchers identified a significant correlation between weight or mass supplements and body dysmorphia symptoms according to publishing results of their study in PLOS Mental Health.
How was the study conducted?
A team of scientists evaluated information from 2,731 adolescents between 16 to 30 years old who took part in the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors to examine body image and social health and disordered eating and muscle-building behaviors.
The analysis focused on supplement reports alongside muscle dysmorphia symptom assessments by using the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory as described in the study.
Dr. Gail Saltz from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College says that the observational design creates difficulties in understanding whether supplements cause muscle dysmorphia symptoms or if already symptomatic people take more supplements.
Dr. Saltz did not take part in conducting the study research. The research reveals that teenagers refrain from harmful anabolic steroids but pursue other chemicals for muscle dysmorphia treatment, so public awareness about this issue should rise, according to Saltz.
“Many people think supplements are safe because it’s just a supplement,” Dr. Saltz stated.
“But, in fact, that is not always the case,” she added.
About muscle dysmorphic disorder
Individuals diagnosed with muscle dysmorphia belong to the body dysmorphic disorder group described as having fixation over imagined physical flaws by Saltz.
People with muscle dysmorphia hold the misbelief that their physique needs to appear stricter and more muscular.
According to Ganson, “People who experience muscle dysmorphia often have significant challenges in their social lives and can experience severe emotional distress,” CNN Health reported.
“Not to mention, these individuals may go to extreme lengths to achieve their body ideal, such as using anabolic steroids,’ he added.