"Muscle Pics", a new body-checking behavior in muscle dysmorphia?

Area of Science:

• Exercise Science
• Psychology
• Media Studies

Background:

• Muscle dysmorphia is influenced by the internalization of idealized hypermuscular bodies and pro-muscularity media.
• Understanding the link between specific body checking behaviors and muscle dysmorphia in social media contexts is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between specific body checking behaviors, particularly those occurring on social networks, and muscle dysmorphia.
• To explore how social media use, specifically the creation of "Muscle Pics", relates to muscle dysmorphia.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 342 university weightlifters in Bordeaux.
• Participants provided sociodemographic information and completed measures of body checking behaviors, including "Muscle Pics" (taking specific selfies of muscles), and the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI).

Main Results:

• Muscle dysmorphia was identified in 18.7% of the participants.
• "Muscle Pics" were significantly correlated with muscle dysmorphia and associated with anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use, pro-muscularity websites, fitness model comparison, and gym mirror checking.
• Specific behaviors like "Muscle Pics" (selfies and messages) and "Follow-up" were strong predictors of muscle dysmorphia.

Conclusions:

• "Muscle Pics" demonstrated significant associations with the "drive for size" and "functional impairment" dimensions of muscle dysmorphia.
• Pro-muscularity websites, fitness model comparisons, and gym mirror checking are linked to both muscle dysmorphia and the creation of "Muscle Pics".
• Further research into "Muscle Pics" is needed to better understand muscle dysmorphia and its connection to pro-muscularity influences.