Opinion: ‘Bigorexia’ — a growing male disorder

Most adults know something about — or at least have heard of — anorexia, an eating disorder that affects females, for the most part. Although anyone can become anorexic, the ailment is most likely to affect young women, probably starting in their teens. However, there is a little-known affliction that is most likely to be experienced by young men: “bigorexia.” And it is increasing in this country.

Muscle dysmorphia, or bigorexia, is probably due to a distorted notion about an idealized body, one that puts excessive importance on the development and shape of the body’s large muscles. Writing for the Huffington Post, Caroline Bologna cites Kara Becker, Director of Eating Disorder Programs at Newport Healthcare, who states, “Bigorexia is a psychological condition and type of body dysmorphic disorder which involves a distorted self-image that focuses specifically on muscle and physical appearance.”

Obsession

Can a young man’s biceps ever be big enough? Do they have the right “definition?” Should a young man’s abdomen look more like a six-pack or a washboard? Is a 32-inch waist prefferable to a 34-inch waist? According to Bologna, young men who are afflicted with “bigorexia” are preoccupied with the idea that their bodies aren’t brawny enough, even if they actually have the physique of a bodybuilder.