Skip to main content
Log in

Antecedents of eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia in a non-clinical sample

  • Original Research Paper
  • Published:
Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) has recently been conceptualized as the male form of Eating Disorders (ED); although, it is not currently classified as an ED. The current study compares etiological models of MD symptomatology and ED symptomatology. It was hypothesized that sociocultural influences on appearance (SIA) would predict body dissatisfaction (BD), and that this relationship would be mediated by self-esteem (SE) and perfectionism (P); that BD would predict negative affect (NA); and that NA would predict MD and ED symptomatology. Two-hundred-forty-seven female and 101 male college students at a midsouth university completed the study. All participants completed measures assessing each of the constructs, and multiple regression analyses were conducted to test each model’s fit. In both models, most predictor paths were significant. These results suggest similarity in symptomatology and etiological models between ED and MD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Pope HG Jr, Phillips KA, Olivardia R. The Adonis complex: The secret crisis of male body obsession. New York, Free Press, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Grieve FG. A conceptual model of factors contributing to the development of Muscle Dysmorphia. Eat Disord 2007; 15: 63–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Olivardia R. Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the largest of them all? The features and phenomenology of muscle dysmorphia. Harvard Rev Psychiatry 2001; 9: 254–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Pope HG, Gruber AJ, Choi P, et al. Muscle Dysmorphia: An underrecognized form of body dysmorphic disorder. J Consultation Liaison Psychiatry 1997; 38: 548–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th Edition, Text Revision), Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Maida DM, Armstrong SL. The classification of muscle dysmorphia. Int J Men’s Health 2005; 4: 73–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Goodale KR, Watkins PL, Cardinal BJ. Muscle dysmorphia: A new form of eating disorder? Am J Health Education 2001; 32: 260–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Stice E. Review of the evidence for a sociocultural model of bulimia nervosa and an exploration of the mechanisms of action. Clin Psychol Rev 1994; 14: 633–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Pope HG, Katz DL, Hudson JI. Anorexia nervosa and “reverse anorexia” among 108 male bodybuilders. Compr Psychiatry 1993; 34: 406–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Cafri G, Thompson JK, Ricciaradelli L, et al. Pursuit of the muscular ideal: Physical and psychological consequences and putative risk factors. Clin Psychol Rev 2005; 25: 215–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Harrison K, Cantor J. The relationship between media consumption and eating disorders. J Comm 1997; 47: 40–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Pope HG, Olivardia R, Borowiecki JJ, et al. The growing commercial value of the male body: A longitudinal survey of advertising in women’s magazines. Psychother Psychosom 2001; 70: 189–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Mintz LB, Betz NE. Sex differences in the nature, realism, and correlates of body image. Sex Roles 1986; 15: 185–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Peck LD, Lightsey OR Jr. The eating disorders continuum, self-esteem, and perfectionism. J Counsel Dev 2008; 86: 184–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Olivardia R, Pope HG, Borowiecki JJ, et al. Biceps and body image: The relationship between muscularity and self-esteem, depression, and eating disorder symptoms. Psychol Men Masculinity 2004; 5: 112–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Nugent SA. Perfectionism: Its manifestations and classroom based interventions. J Second Gift Ed 2000; 11: 215–22.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Pearson CA, Gleaves DH. The multiple dimensions of perfectionism and their relationship with eating disorder features. Pers Indiv Diff 2006; 41: 225–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Forbush K, Heatherton TF, Keel PK. Relationship between perfectionism and specific disordered eating behaviors. Int J Eat Disord 2007; 40: 37–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Henson CT. Potential antecedents of muscle dysmorphia. Unpublished master’s thesis. Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Stice E. Sociocultural influences on body image and eating disturbance. In: Fairburn CG, Brownell KD (Eds) Eating Disorders and Obesity: New York, The Guilford Press, 2002, pp 103–7.

  21. Harmatz MG, Gronendyke J, Thomas T. The underweight male: The unrecognized problem group of body image research. J Obes Weight Reg 1985; 4: 258–67.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Mausbach BT, Roepke SK, Depp CA, et al. Specificity of cognitive and behavioral variables to positive and negative affect. Behav Res Ther 2009; 47: 608–15.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. McLean CP, Miller NA, Hope DA. Mediating social anxiety and disordered eating: The role of expressive suppression. Eat Disord 2007; 15: 41–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Chandler CG, Grieve FG, Derryberry WP, et al. Are symptoms of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder related to symptoms of muscle dysmorphia? Int J Men’s Health 2009; 8: 143–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Harvard Medical School: Treatment of bulimia and binge eating. Harvard Mental Health Letter 2002; 19 (1): 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Grieve FG, Wann D, Henson CT, et al. Healthy and unhealthy weight management practices in collegiate men and women. J Sport Behav 2006; 29: 229–41.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Thompson JK, van den Berg P, Roehrig M, et al. The Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Scale-3 (SATAQ-3): Development and validation. Int J Eat Disord 2004; 35: 293–304.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Thompson JK, Cafri G. The Muscular Ideal: Psychological, Social, and Medical Perspectives. Washington, DC, American Psychological Association, 2007.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  29. McCreary DR, Sasse DK. An exploration of the drive for muscularity in adolescent boys and girls. J Am Coll Health 2000; 48: 297–304.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Cash TF, Melnyk SE, Hrabosky JI. The assessment of body image investment: An extensive revision of the Appearance Schemas Inventory. Int J Eat Disord 2004; 35: 305–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Brown TA, Cash TF, Mikulka PJ. Attitudinal bodyimage assessment: Factor analysis of the Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. J Pers Assess 1990; 55: 135–44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Heatherton TF, Polivy J. Development and validation of a scale for measuring state self-esteem. J Pers Soc Psychol 1991; 60: 895–910.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Frost RO, Marten P, Lahart C, et al. The dimensions of perfectionism. Cognitive Ther Res 1990; 14: 449–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Cooper PJ, Taylor MJ, Cooper Z, et al. The development and validation of the Body Shape Questionnaire. Int J Eat Disord 1987; 6: 485–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Garner DM, Olmstead MP, Polivy J. Development and validation of a multidimensional eating disorder inventory for anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Int J Eat Disord 1983; 2: 15–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Garner DM, Garfinkel PE. The Eating Attitudes Test: An index of the symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Psychol Med 1979; 9: 272–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Tylka TL, Bergeron D, Schwartz JP. Development and psychometric evaluation of the Male Body Attitudes Scale (MBAS). Body Image 2005; 2: 161–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Watson D, Clark LA, Tellegen A. Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. J Pers Soc Psychol 1988; 54: 1063–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Garner DM, Olmstead MP, Bohr Y, et al. The Eating Attitudes Test: Psychometric features and clinical correlates. Psychol Med 1982; 12: 871–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Hildebrandt T, Langenbucher J, Schlundt DG. Muscularity concerns among men: Development of attitudinal and perceptual measures. Body Image 2004; 1: 169–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Garner DM, Garfinkel PE, Swartz D, et al. Cultural expectations of thinness in women. Psychol Rep 1980; 47: 483–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Leit RA, Pope HG, Gray JJ. Cultural expectations of muscularity in men: The evolution of Playgirl centerfolds. Int J Eat Disord 2001; 29: 90–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Baird AL, Grieve FG. Exposure to male models in advertisements leads to a decrease in men’s body satisfaction. North Am J Psychol 2006; 8: 115–22.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Lorenzen LA, Grieve FG, Thomas A. Exposure to muscular male models decreases men’s body satisfaction. Sex Roles 2004; 51: 743–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Yamamiya Y, Cash TF, Melnyk SE, et al. Women’s exposure to thin-and-beautiful media images: Body image effects of media-ideal internalization and impact-reduction interventions. Body Image 2005; 2: 74–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Wardle J, Watters R. Sociocultural influences on attitudes to weight and eating: Results of a natural experiment. Int J Eat Disord 2004; 35: 589–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Stanford JN, McCabe MP. Body image ideal among males and females: Sociocultural influences and focus on different body parts. J Health Psychol 2002; 7: 675–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Gleason JH, Alexander A, Somers CL. Later adolescents’ reactions to three types of childhood teasing: Relations with self-esteem and body image. Soc Behav Pers 2000; 28: 471–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Field AE, Camargo CA, Taylor CB, et al. Peer, parent, and media influences on the development of weight concerns and frequent dieting among preadolescent and adolescent girls and boys. Pediatr 2001; 107: 54–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Smolak L, Murnen SK, Thompson JK. Sociocultural influences and muscle building in adolescent boys. Psychol Men Masculinity 2005; 6: 227–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Stanford JN, McCabe MP. Sociocultural influences on adolescent boys’ body image and body change strategies. Body Image 2005; 2: 105–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Vohs KD, Voelz ZR, Pettit JW, et al. Perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, and self-esteem: An interactive model of bulimic symptom development. J Soc Clin Psychol 2001; 20: 476–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Wiseman CV, Peltzman B, Halmi KA, et al. Risk factors for eating disorders: Surprising similarities between middle school boys and girls. Eat Disord 2004; 12: 315–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Binford RB, le Grange D. Adolescents with bulimia nervosa and eating disorder not otherwise specified-purging only. Int J Eat Disord 2005; 38: 157–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Joshi R, Herman CP, Polivy J. Self-enhancing effects of exposure to thin-body images. Int J Eat Disord 2004; 35: 333–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Hart EA, Leary MR, Rejeski WJ. The measure of social physique anxiety. J Sport Exercise Psychol 1989; 11: 94–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Kitsantas A, Gilligan TD, Kamata A. College women with eating disorders: Self regulation, life satisfaction, and positive/negative affect. J Psychol 2003; 137: 381–95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Overton A, Selway S, Strongman K, et al. Eating disorders — The regulation of positive as well as negative emotion experience. J Clin Psychol Medical Settings 2005; 12: 39–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Grilo CM. Subtyping female adolescent psychiatric inpatients with features of eating disorders along dietary restraint and negative affect dimensions. Behav Res Ther 2004; 42: 67–78.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Stice E, Agras WS. Subtyping bulimic women along dietary restraint and negative affect dimensions. J Consult Clin Psychol 1999; 67: 460–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Schwarz N. Self-reports: How the questions shape the answers. Am Psychol 1999; 54: 93–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. G. Grieve PhD.

Additional information

This study was completed as part of the first author’s thesis.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lamanna, J., Grieve, F.G., Derryberry, W.P. et al. Antecedents of eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia in a non-clinical sample. Eat Weight Disord 15, e23–e33 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325277

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325277

Keywords

Navigation