Table of contents:
- Is a muscular body like a bodybuilder really healthier?
- Recognizing muscle dysmorphia
- Features of muscle dysmorphia
- Health effects of muscle dysmorphia
Looking at the bodies of actors in action movies or superheroes, you may feel in awe of the muscles that are brought out. Since long time ago, the muscular and well-built body is often regarded as the benchmark for male virility. As a result, many men feel the demand to build their body muscles like a bodybuilder.
This case is similar to that experienced by women. Women are also indirectly required to maintain a slim and sexy body shape. Then, is it true that a muscular bodybuilder must be ideal and healthy? Come on, find out the answer below.
Is a muscular body like a bodybuilder really healthier?
Getting in shape and building muscle mass is good for health. The endurance and strength of the body will be better. In addition, you also pay attention to daily nutritional intake that is good for the body. However, some people may be over-shaping the body. Especially those who work as bodybuilders or those who are very passionate about the world of bodybuilding.
Be careful, excessive muscle building is not necessarily healthy for the body. A body that is too strong and muscular can actually have a negative impact. In fact, if you are obsessed with a bodybuilder-style muscular body shape, you may experience muscle dysmorphia.
Recognizing muscle dysmorphia
Muscle dysmorphia is a psychological disorder that makes a person addicted to building muscles and doing bodybuilding sports. Even though the body is formed and the muscles are enlarged, people with muscle dysmorphia will continue to strive to make their bodies more muscular and muscular. This is done by strict special diet and fitness training with sports such as lifting weights.
Features of muscle dysmorphia
Unexpectedly, muscle dysmorphia is quite common in society. Numerous studies have noted that at least 10% of bodybuilders worldwide have muscle dysmorphia. Recognize the following characteristics of people with muscle dysmorphia.
- All-out exercise to increase muscle mass
- Panic and stress if you can't or don't have time to exercise
- Keep exercising even if you are sick or injured
- Eating disorders, usually consuming excessive amounts of protein
- Addiction to steroids
- Too often look in the mirror and check your body shape
- Comparing her body with other bodybuilders
- Not confident in body shape and self-image
Health effects of muscle dysmorphia
If left untreated, muscle dysmorphia will have a negative impact on health. One of them is heart problems. According to a study in the journal Cardiology, lifting excess weights risks causing tearing of the aortic artery. The aorta is the main artery that drains blood from the heart. Tearing of the aorta due to excessive weight lifting can cause death.
People who are obsessed with muscular builds may also go on a strict diet that limits their intake of calories or fat. With an unbalanced nutritional intake even though you have excessive physical activity, your blood sugar can drop dramatically until you lose consciousness. In some cases, excessive exercise that is not accompanied by a healthy lifestyle can also result in death.
One of the symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, namely steroid addiction, is at risk of causing hormonal disorders, heart disease, stroke, and liver cancer. So, if you or someone closest to you has this disorder or is obsessed with the world of bodybuilding, immediately seek help from a psychologist, nutritionist, or doctor.
