Strong and Vital No 3

Risk Factors From a psychological point of view, the risk factors for bigorexia include low self-esteem, insecurity, the pursuit of recognition, perfectionism, competition between men, the belief that a very muscular body is more appealing to women, the practice of bodybuilding, social media activity where one posts photos or videos of his body to get likes and positive comments. The Portrayal of Men Already in antiquity, the representation of masculinity in images and sculptures exalted athletic appearance, with exaggerated proportions compared to the usual parameters of the male population, just think of the Greek Discobolus of Myron or Michelangelo’s David. These symbols of an extraordinarily athletic physique can impress the male imagination and sensibility. Men in the Media and Films Statistics show that in recent decades the presence of naked male bodies in magazines, advertising campaigns and films has increased significantly, while the proportion of naked female bodies has remained stable. Male models and actors today show well-trained bodies of war riors, which in fact are often a prerequisite for a successful career in the fashion world or in the film business. Changing Gender Roles Finally, the emancipation of women has prevailed, women have more weight in Western society, roles have been redistributed, gender dif ferences are fading, there are somehow no longer purely male or female roles. The traditional male figure has also been downgraded, which destabilises many young men. Hence the search for a lost, supposed masculinity, at least in appearance, to differentiate themselves from women. While little girls orientate themselves towards the sexily shaped Barbie doll when playing, boys have Superman or Spiderman as a ref erence, who have a muscular physique. Is There a Way Out? The first step is to consciously recognise that something is wrong, that there is a disorder, possibly through observations by relatives or friends. If you cannot break free from this vicious circle, you should consult a psychotherapist.

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STRONG and VITAL No. 3 - 2024

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