Here's How To Talk To Your Kids About "Bigorexia" - A Scary Disorder That's On The Rise In Young Men

""Bigorexia is a psychological condition and type of body dysmorphic disorder which involves a distorted self-image that focuses specifically on muscle size and physical appearance," Kara Becker, a certified eating disorder therapist and national director of eating disorder programs at Newport Healthcare, told HuffPost. With bigorexia, the afflicted person is obsessed with becoming more muscular and preoccupied with the idea that their body isn't brawny enough ― even if they actually have the physique of a bodybuilder."

""Individuals may have an inaccurate view of their bodies, often believing they are smaller or less muscular," said Amy Gooding, a clinical psychologist at Eating Recovery Center, Baltimore. "This belief and subsequent preoccupation can lead to unhealthy behaviors, including obsessive exercise, and may lead to changing one's eating to be as lean as possible." Although muscle dysmorphia can affect anyone, it's more common in males, and research suggests the disorder is on the rise."

"A 2019 study indicated that 22% of adolescent boys engaged in "muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors" in an attempt to bulk up or gain weight and found that supplements, dietary changes, and even steroid use were common among young adult males. "Eating disorders in boys are often under-recognized and under-diagnosed, said Jason Nagata, a pediatrician specializing in eating disorders in boys and men, who co-authored the study."

Muscle dysmorphia, or bigorexia, is a body dysmorphic disorder marked by a distorted belief that one is not muscular enough. Affected individuals obsess over gaining muscle and may perceive themselves as smaller despite highly muscular physiques. The condition can lead to obsessive exercise, extreme dietary changes to maximize leanness, and use of supplements or steroids. Rates appear to be rising, particularly among males; a 2019 study found high prevalence of muscularity-oriented disordered eating in adolescent boys and common use of supplements and steroids among young men. Eating disorders in boys are often under-recognized and under-diagnosed.

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