A social media habit is a sign that your man is obsessed with his muscles

They say comparison is the thief of joy – but comparing one’s body to the “perfect” ones on social media isn’t the only way apps like Instagram and TikTok can mess with body image.

A University of South Australia study found that another social media habit among men is an indicator that they may be obsessing over their physique – to the point of muscle dysphoria.

Researchers uncovered further evidence that this disturbing habit may be a risk factor for “body image disorder,” but you wouldn’t be able to tell by browsing the accounts they follow or reading their DMs.

Published in New Media & Society, the study found that men can be deeply affected by how many likes and comments they get on posts about their bodies.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, those who placed greater importance on social media engagement exhibited more risk factors for muscle dysphoria, a type of body dysmorphic disorder characterized by a preoccupation that one’s body is not muscular enough or thin. .

Muscle dysphoria is severe enough that sufferers’ daily functioning is often impaired: they may resort to extreme diet and exercise regimens and prioritize these habits over socializing.

The researchers tested the participants for indicators of muscle dysmorphia and then asked them how important it was for them to engage in social media.

They weren’t surprised to find that having more indicators of muscle dysphoria was “significantly” related to placing a high value on social media likes and comments.

“Previous research has focused mainly on women, but now we’re seeing that men are also vulnerable to the pressures of body ideals online,” Luigi Donnarumma, who led the study, said in a press release.

“Muscle dysmorphia is an emerging issue and our study shows that social media is not just a platform for sharing content: it’s a powerful source of social validation that can significantly influence how young people perceive their bodies .”

University of South Australia researchers also cited a 2020 study that focused on men who weigh themselves regularly. They found that when these men received more likes and comments on their social media posts, it motivated them to work harder.

And it’s not just the comments and likes on their posts that are a driving factor in how they feel about their sixties.

Dr. John Mingoia, a co-author of the new study, noted that these men are taking into account the online approval that other men also receive.

“Men are often exposed to hyper-muscular ideals online, particularly through fitness and celebrity content,” he said.

“When these posts attract a high volume of likes and positive comments, they reinforce the message that this is the body standard men should strive for. Over time, this can lead to harmful behaviors such as over-exercising, restricted eating and even steroid use.”