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Childhood experiences, both good and bad, are the backbone of every person's adult life. As we all know, what happens during childhood greatly influences choices made later in life, including decisions around physical well-being.

Muscle dysmorphia, sometimes called "bigorexia," is a type of body dysmorphic disorder or BDD where a person displays a pathological need to become muscular. People, often males, with muscle dysmorphia are worried about their body being "too small" or not muscular enough," despite having a healthy and normal build. 

In a recently published study, researchers said that the chances of having muscle dysmorphia are influenced by adverse childhood experiences such as domestic violence, emotional abuse and sexual abuse. They found that among 900 adolescent and young adult participants, a significant 16% of those who experienced at least five adverse childhood experiences were at clinical risk for muscle dysmorphia. They emphasized that this is a reflection of the trauma that they experienced.

Males and muscle dysmorphia

The researchers also found that the boys and young men in the study had greater muscle dysmorphia symptoms than the girls and young women who also participated. They believe that this trauma response is because the adverse childhood experiences threatened their masculinity. As a result, they engage in the excessive pursuit of muscularity to exercise dominance, aggression and power. 

Other factors like social conditioning and media stereotypes can also contribute to muscle dysmorphia. In a past study that compared men with muscle dysmorphia and normal comparison weightlifters, researchers found that the disorder resulted in body dissatisfaction, the prevalence of anabolic steroid use, anxiety, and mood and eating disorders. 

The researchers emphasized the need to further observe similar cases and compare why there are numerous studies about body dysmorphia in females but not in males.