Body Image Concerns, Muscle-Enhancing Behaviors, and Eating Disorders in Males

Body image concerns among adolescents and young adults are prevalent; almost half of adolescent girls report being dissatisfied with the way their bodies look.¹ Body dissatisfaction can have serious adverse consequences, including disordered eating behaviors, eating disorders, and obesity. Longitudinal studies have shown that body dissatisfaction does not motivate young people to engage in healthier eating and physical activity behaviors.² Body dissatisfaction has been found to be associated with a lower likelihood of health-promoting behaviors such as physical activity and eating fruits and vegetables.² Because body dissatisfaction does not motivate young people to engage in health-promoting behaviors, it is important to help young people feel better about their bodies to promote a sense of positive well-being and healthier behaviors.