Body Size Issues for Boys

Everyone thinks of women and girls as the ones who have body size issues, the ones who develop eating disorders, and the ones affected most by the media pressure. It is true, that women and girls are affected more, but the same issues also affect men and boys. Experts believe the number of boys affected is increasing and that many cases may not be reported, since males are reluctant to acknowledge any illness primarily associated with females.

There is more and more media pressure for men and boys to take on the look of the well-muscled athletes and actors. Males are becoming insecure about their physical appearance and self image. Sports, health, and fitness magazines focus on the importance of muscularity and the methods to obtain those perfect sports bodies. Boys tend to become obsessive with weight training and if they do not see immediate results often turn to using steroids and dietary supplements that advertise fantastic muscle gain.

The average boy cannot come near meeting the impossible "standard" of the media's male body perfection. They are not going to be young Arnold Schwarzenegger's or have the well-muscled bodies of Bay Watch life guards. The most popular magazines carry images of women and men on the covers that represent about .03 percent of the population. Obviously, that leaves .97 percent who cannot measure up to that level of body image.

Magazines, especially those aimed at men and boys, push the "body building" message. Advertisements promote weight lifting, body building or muscle toning. The V-shaped muscular body shape is emphasized as the ideal.

The need to make weight for a sport like wrestling or boxing can cause eating disorders. The demand for illegal prescription pills that speed up the metabolism and decrease appetite is high among those needing to make weight. Weight training, sports participation, and locker room conversation can lead boys to abnormal eating habits, which can lead to eating disorders.

Even the toys they play with create pressure. The toy action figures are more muscular today than they were in the past. Their bodies are setting unrealistic ideals for boys in much the same way Barbie dolls have been accused of giving an unrealistic body ideal for girls.

One of the side effects of this body consciousness for both boys and girls is the tendency to turn to smoking to keep their weight down. Overweight boys in the age range of 9 to 14 were 65% more likely to think about or try smoking than their peers. The same study found that boys who worked out every day in order to lose weight were twice as likely to experiment with tobacco. Males with poor body image are also more prone to increased substance use and aggression.