Muscle-Building Supplements May Cause Body Dysmorphia in Teens, Study Warns
New research finds a strong link between muscle-building supplement use and body image disorders in adolescents, raising concerns over excessive gym habits and self-esteem issues.
Watan-A new study has warned against teenagers consuming muscle-building supplements, indicating that such supplements may lead to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)—a condition that causes individuals to become obsessively focused on their appearance, physique, and muscle mass.
According to CNN, the study analyzed data from 2,731 participants aged 16 to 30, examining their eating disorders, body image perceptions, social interactions, and the extent to which they used muscle-building supplements.
The research team also assessed symptoms of body image disorders and found a strong correlation between teenagers consuming these supplements and developing Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Study Links Muscle-Building Supplements to Body Dysmorphia in Teens
Dr. Kyle Ganson, an assistant professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, stated:“The use of six different muscle-building supplements was linked to symptoms of body dysmorphia.”
He added:“This included whey protein powder and creatine, both of which are commonly used among young people trying to gain muscle.”
Dr. Ganson cautioned that many people assume supplements are safe simply because they are labeled as dietary supplements, but that is not always the case.
Participants in the study exhibited symptoms such as spending excessive time at the gym, an obsession with food intake, low self-esteem, and constant self-comparison to others.
However, Dr. Gail Saltz, an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College, who was not involved in the study, pointed out a limitation:“This study is observational, meaning it is difficult to determine whether supplement use worsens body dysmorphia symptoms or if individuals with body dysmorphia are simply more likely to consume these supplements.”
