Prevalence of muscle dysmorphia symptomatology and related factors in male university students / Prevalencia de sintomatología de dismorfia muscular y factores asociados en estudiantes universitarios varones

Muscle dysmorphia is an obsessive-compulsive disorder subcategorized as a body dysmorphic disorder. Studies in Latin America have assessed the prevalence of muscle dysmorphia in bodybuilders and gym users. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of muscle dysmorphia symptomatology (MDS) and associated factors in university male students in Lima, Peru. The participants (N = 618) had an average age of 21.0 years (DS = 2.3). We assessed MDS through the Muscular Appearance Satisfaction Scale (MASS) and obsessive-compulsive disorders through the Yale-Brown Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorders (BDD-YBOCS). We also tested participants on their food consumption and physical activity (PA) frequency. The prevalence of MDS was 1.3% (IC 95% = 0.4-2.2%) . associated with factors such as intense PA defined as more than five hours per week (PRa = 9.5; 95% CI = 1.1-84.4) and a hyperproteic diet (PRa = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.1-1.6). Thirty-two percent of participants consumed protein supplements. Muscle dysmorphia is a disorder present in the general population. However, more research must be done to understand how this is an emerging problem in Latin America. Therefore, to influence its prevention and early identification among the university population, it is necessary to deepen the understanding.ResumenLa dismorfia muscular es un trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo subcategorizado recientemente como un trastorno dismórfico corporal. En Latinoamérica se ha estimado la prevalencia de sintomatología de dismorfia muscular (SDM), pero principalmente en usuarios de gimnasio o fisicoculturistas. Por tanto, el propósito de este estudio fue evaluar la prevalencia de SDM y factores asociados entre estudiantes universitarios de Lima, Perú. Participaron 618 varones con edad promedio de 21.0 años (DE = 2.3), quienes completaron la Escala de Satisfacción con la Apariencia Muscular (MASS) y la Escala Obsesiva-Compulsiva de Yale-Brown Modificada para Trastorno Dismórfico Corporal (BDD-YBOCS), y además fueron evaluados en cuanto a su consumo de alimentos y realización de actividad física. La prevalencia de SDM fue 1.3% (IC 95% = 0.4-2.2%), asociada a la realización de actividad física intensa (PRa = 9.5; IC 95% = 1.1-84.4) y al seguimiento de una dieta hiperproteica (PRa = 1.3; IC 95% = 1.1-1.6). Adicionalmente, 32% de los participantes indicó consumir suplementos proteicos. La DM es un trastorno emergente en Latinoamérica, por lo que es aún incipiente el conocimiento que se tiene sobre él. Por tanto, para poder incidir en su prevención e identificación temprana entre población universitaria, es necesario profundizar en su comprensión.

The Association of Muscle Dysmorphia, Social Physique Anxiety, and Body Checking Behavior in Male College Students With Weight Exercise

Objectives: To investigate the association between muscle dysmorphia (MD), social physique anxiety, and body-checking behavior in male college students with weight exercise, and to reveal the association between them.Methods: A total of 492 male college students with weight exercise from 18 Fitness Clubs or bodybuilding centers in Chengdu, China, participated in this study.Results: First, the social physique anxiety scores, body checking frequency, and weight exercise behavior (i.e., frequency, time, and intensity) in male college students with MD were significantly higher than those without MD; it indicated that the higher the exercise frequency they had, the longer the exercise time they cost, and the higher exercise intensity carried out, and the higher the social physique anxiety scores tended to be, the higher the frequency of body checking on “global muscles,” “chest and shoulder muscles,” “comparison with others” and “posture measurement” they did. Second, the mediating effect of the social physique anxiety on MD and body checking was established in the “MD → global muscle checking,” “MD → chest and shoulder muscle checking,” “MD → comparison with others,” and “muscle dysmorphia → posture measurement.”Conclusion: Male college students with MD not only have a higher social physique anxiety, but also a higher frequency of body-checking behavior than the ordinary individuals. Social physique anxiety is one of the important mediating factors to those with MD which affects the body-checking behavior.

Muscle dysmorphia and the use of auxiliary instruments for diagnosis: case report of a patient with mental retardation/ Dismorfia muscular e o uso de instrumentos auxiliares para diagnóstico: relato de caso de um paciente com retardo mental

Body image investigation is fundamental to assess body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). When dissatisfaction is related to the muscle, it is suggestive to be accompanied by muscle dysmorphia (MD) – with or without insight. In BDD, the presence of other comorbidities can make it difficult to diagnose the disorder. In this sense, this case report aimed to present the use of auxiliary methods to facilitate the diagnosis of MD in a patient with mental retardation. Two instruments were tested: Scale of Body Image (SBI) and Muscle Appearance Satisfaction Scale (Mass). Male, 33 years, completed primary school, single. Mild intellectual disability with a tendency to impulsive behavior. As for SBI, the participant identified himself with image 6, but he said he had the desire to resemble image 9. This discrepancy corroborates the suspicion of body image dissatisfaction. Regarding the Mass questionnaire, the score was 84: positive for MD. With this case report, we suggest the use of the instruments mentioned to help in the MD evaluation, especially in patients with low intellectual capacity, which have difficulties in mentioning their complaints. It is important to note that this application does not dispense analysis of clinical and psychological indicators.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which affects approximately 1.9% of adults and 1.7% to 2.2% of adolescents, is characterized by a belief that some aspect of one’s appearance is unattractive, abnormal, or deformed, despite these flaws being unobservable or appearing minimal to others. These appearance preoccupations are intrusive, distressing, and time-consuming, and are chronic without adequate treatment. This chapter discusses the nature of BDD across the lifespan, including muscle dysmorphia. Beyond a discussion of symptom presentation and associated assessment, information about cognitive-behavioral and pharmacological treatments is presented. The chapter concludes with a discussion about future research and clinical directions.