Quest for ‘perfect’ body leading to image issues for men
A SPIKE in young men with body issues and eating disorders has alarmed health professionals, who say the quest for the “perfect body” is causing too many casualties.
NSW
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A SPIKE in young men with body issues and eating disorders has alarmed health professionals, who say the quest for the “perfect body” is causing too many casualties.
The Butterfly Foundation CEO Christine Morgan said men’s pursuit of the ideal shape had accelerated in recent years.
“We’re certainly seeing more males who are concerned about body image ... and we’re certainly seeing higher presentations of males with eating disorders,” Ms Morgan said.
“We’re seeing young boys, not just men ... doing things artificially to try to achieve this so-called perfect look. We know that young boys are getting involved in muscle building at a dangerously early age.”
Sydney-based psychotherapist Paul Jozsef said more younger people were caught up in “Instagram-fuelled anxiety”.
“Men are feeling like they need to keep up with everyone else,” he said.
Many personal trainers agreed social media was “an issue” when it comes to male body image.
Michael Webster, 35, from Commando Flow said young men unrealistically told themselves the perfect body was achievable overnight.
“I can see why it’s an issue with social media ... people think they have to look a certain way,” the Vaucluse resident said.
But trainer Dylan Rivier, 37, from Bondi, said most of his male clients simply wanted to look “lean and athletic”.
“Most guys will tell you they don’t want to be a big bodybuilder,” he said.