Mens Body Image

Mens body image in western society is relatively unhealthy! Let's try that as a question. Mens body image in western society is relatively unhealthy?

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[TheNobleApe]

So, would this include all powerlifters, strongmen, and Olympic lifters? If so, it sounds like people who have no appreciation for physical strength finding fault with those who actually go against the grain (this is, in all scientific probability, the weakest generation in history) and obtain a measure of appreciable strength.

Six months to a year of strength training can easily double the strength of most untrained lifters, and in the process develop a healthy physique, yet few do so.

[tvshorts]

Smoking causes lung cancer ergo all smokers have lung cancer. This statement is not correct. Neither is your assertion that all gym goers have mental health problems. (Also, I'd love to see the 'scientific' evidence that the best fed and medically maintained culture in all of history is physically the weakest.) You weight lifters sure are a touchy lot.

[JackBlair2]

This is a made-up "disorder."  Harrison Pope is a douche.

[tvshorts]

Thanks for your insightful commentary.

[misstiggykins]

I enjoyed the humour in this, but the 2 questions I would ask are:

1. Is a male desire for a muscle-bound physique related to their perception of being sexually attractive? (Muscle dysmorphia is described as 'reverse anorexia', but anorexia nervosa is not related to a desire to appear sexually attractive; if anything it's the opposite..).

2. Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness caused by a developmental disturbance during adolescence, but is muscle dysmorphia really a mental illness?

[tvshorts]

1. It would appear that the desire for increased size is more closely related to gender identity then anything else. Although this may impact on mans ability to feel sexually attractive, it's not the core problem. The core problem is a poor sense of self worth, and a need to emulate what a 'worthy' man should look like (i.e Arnold).

Referring to muscular dysmorphia as reverse anorexia is a product of sound byte journalism and not really an accurate statement.

[crypter27]

It does cause steroid use!

[blahmeblahblahblah]

I work out enough to get looks from people (mostly guys & mostly straight, I think).

At the end of the day, I can still feel like shit about life, myself, etc. OR be happy. Obviously, I'd rather be happy with working out being just a personal interest & healthy choice.

If folks were to just be active enough to prevent early death or disability & happy with themselves overall, that'd be ideal (but easier said than done).

[TheNobleApe]

@tvshorts

Furthermore, I should state that my question was an attempt to discern the actual nature of this disorder. Considering that most males actually posses significantly less physical strength or lean mass than they are capable achieving of with even a basic training regimen over a short period of time, a disorder such as this should be carefully defined. Very few individuals who perceive themselves as underweight actually have achieved lbm well outside the norm, compared to anorexia.

[TheNobleApe]

@tvshorts

As to the scientific evidence, I would refer you to the chaosandpain blog run by Jamie Lewis. There are umpteen studies referenced there. Despite being well fed and medically maintained, our exercise quality is so poor that we are still physically smaller than our Paleolithic ancestors, who are genetically identical to us. The EXTREME lack of basic exercise in our society compared to the average life even a century ago leads to obesity etc, and it is exercise that makes people strong.

[TheNobleApe]

@tvshorts

"All gym goers?" You have certainly misread my statement, or else do not understand the difference between a practicing strength athlete and a standard "gym goer." Your video states that all those in pursuit of unnecessary physical strength may be considered to have this disorder, or at least are prime candidates for it. This would obviously apply to professional strength athletes, particularly gold medalists, who are far physically stronger than anyone has to be in the modern world.

[viper909909]

well-made video and very insightful! thanks very much for the upload.

[JackBlair2]

YW.