They say comparison is the thief of joy — but comparing one’s body to “perfect” people on social media isn’t the only way apps like Instagram and TikTok can mess with body image.
A study from the University of South Australia found that another social media habit among men is an indicator that they may be obsessed with their bodies – to the point of muscle dysphoria,
Researchers have discovered further evidence that this troubling habit may be a risk factor for “body image disturbances,” but you won’t be able to tell by digging into the accounts they follow or reading their DMs.
published in New media and societyThe study found that men can be deeply affected by how many likes and comments they get on posts about their bodies.
who kept More importance to social media participation According to the American Psychiatric Association, it was more likely to show risk factors for muscle dysphoria, a type of body dysmorphic disorder characterized by a concern that one’s body is insufficiently muscular or lean.
Muscle dysphoria is so severe that sufferers’ daily functioning is often impaired: they may resort to Extreme diet and exercise regimen And give priority to those habits over social interaction.
Researchers tested participants for indicators of muscle dysmorphia, then had them rate how important it was that they receive social media engagement.
They were not surprised to find that having higher muscle dysphoria indicators was “significantly” correlated with placing higher importance on social media likes and comments.
“Previous research has largely focused on women, but now we’re seeing that men are also vulnerable to the pressure of online body ideals,” said Luigi Donnarumma, who led the study. Said in a press release,
“Muscle dysmorphia is an emerging issue, and our study shows that social media is not just a platform for sharing content: it is a powerful source of social validation that can significantly influence how young people view their bodies. Let’s see how.”
Researchers at the University of South Australia also cited a 2020 study It is aimed at men who lift weights regularly. They found that when these people received more likes and comments on social media posts, it motivated them to do more.
And it’s not just the comments and likes on their own posts that are a driving factor in how they feel about their six-pack.
Dr. John Mingoia, co-author of the new study, said these men are also paying attention to the online approval they receive from other men.
“Men are often exposed to hyper-muscular ideals online, particularly through fitness and celebrity content,” he said.
“When these posts attract large numbers of likes and positive comments, they reinforce the message that this is the body standard men should strive for. Over time, this can lead to harmful behaviors like excessive exercise, restrictive eating habits, and even steroid use.
