This month’s article is really geared towards mothers and fathers who have sons, but I encourage everyone to read the information contained here. I want to talk about a growing epidemic that is plaguing the young boys in this country. It is called Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
BDD is defined as an excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in the male subjects appearance. For example, guys may obsess over their calves being too small, their abs not being defined enough or feel as though their chests are not as bulky as they feel it should be. By everyone else’s standards the guys look physically impressive. Outside observers perceive these guys as being fit and healthy specimens and greatly admire the amount of effort it took to look the way they do. To the guy who perceives his body as being flawed in one way or another, these outside opinions do not matter. They silently detest their appearances and will most likely take drastic measures to fix the “problem.”
The first question we all need to ask ourselves is why is BDD becoming such an epic issue for the boys of the world? Thankfully I have at least part of the answer. Before the 1990’s, the main icons for boys were Superheroes like Batman, Superman, G.I. Joe, He-man and the Thundercats. Do you remember what they looked like? They were muscular but not in an unnatural way. Back then, their physiques were physically achievable without the use of steroids, growth hormones or fat burners. In 1991, the G.I. Joe action figures had the equivalent measurements to have a 30-inch waist and a 16.5-inch biceps/triceps circumference. Those are goals that could easily be achieved naturally by exercising and eating a healthy diet. The current G.I Joe figure would have the equivalent chest measurement of at least 55-inches and an arm circumference of roughly 27-inches. I have muscular legs and at the thickest part of my thighs I measure only 25-inches! The new G.I. Joe’s body type would be IMPOSSIBLE to achieve naturally and may not even reach those standards with the use of steroids or human growth hormones. I hear five-year-old boys saying they want to look like G.I. Joe one day, but no one tells them how unrealistic it is to look like that. They see themselves as being a grown up version of their plastic hero and are disappointed and frustrated when their bodies fail to look that way. Additionally, we as a culture have sensationalized the subject of doping in sports. It has become commonplace on the TV to hear stories about professional and Olympic level athletes being suspended or kicked out of their sports due to the use of banned, illicit substances. The sad thing is, we hear a great deal about the use of the drugs, but very little about the harmful effects they have on the body or the negative consequences they face years after the usage. This puts the idea in our kids heads that hard work and effort in the gym will not be sufficient to be a top performer and will need to subject themselves to using performance enhancing drugs. We all need to realize these things and help our children understand why those body types boys are admiring are not healthy expectations and with hard work they can be competitive without the use of any performance enhancing drugs. Kids need role models with naturally athletic physiques in order for them to see the difference between a healthy body type and one that cannot be achieved naturally. By no means am I saying you should take away all of your sons toys that represent unrealistic body images. What I am saying is that it is important to instill healthy body expectations in your sons while still supporting their personal health and fitness goals.
The effort to prevent our sons, nephews and students from developing the early signs of BDD starts at home. For the most part children learn by example. What I mean by that is, we as adults need to show our children that following a healthy exercise and diet plan will be sufficient enough to help them achieve healthy and impressive physiques. If we tell kids that working out and eating properly will be sufficient methods to achieve our goals and then we sit around without putting effort into exercising and eating well, then we have done them a great disservice. By not practicing what you preach, you are saying that kids need to follow the old adage “do as I say not as I do”. That philosophy never produces good results. Include your children in your personal health and wellness goals and allow them to participate in the activities that support the active lifestyle. Take them on jogs, walks and family hikes. If you are an avid weight lifter, keep a few weights and/or bands around the house so you can show your children what you do to keep yourself in shape. Children are infamous for asking the “Why” question and will most likely inundate you with countless questions regarding your workout regime. When they ask, make sure your explain to them why you think it is important to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Saying things like, “This is what mommy and daddy do to stay strong and keep up with you,” are comments that inspire kids to continue putting forth an effort to be active so you as parents have something to work towards. They see that working out is an essential part to being involved in their lives and will subsequently inspire similar actions in your kids.
When you are inspiring your children to be more active, make sure you are choosing age appropriate activities. For example, allowing a five year old to start a regimented weight lifting routine would be counterproductive. However, allowing that same five year old to partake in running or jogging activities with you would not be ill advised. Children develop abilities to run and improve cardiovascular fitness around age three. You may have a 13 or 14 year old male who decides he wants to embark on a rigorous weight lifting routine so he can emulate his favorite superhero. Do not discourage him from starting a weight lifting routine, but you should sit them down and explain to them the logistics. At that age, guys skeletons have not finished maturing. They still have another growth spurt or two to go through before they have reached their adult heights. This means their growth plates have not yet solidified and are at great risk for injury if they lift too much weight improperly before they are ready. Consult a fitness professional before allowing your sons to begin a weight lifting routine. If one is not available and unwilling to assist you, please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. My advice is free and I would prefer that if your sons start a workout regime that they learn to do things the right way. I learned the hard way that doing too much too soon can cause you great amounts of trouble down the road.
There may come a time where your child starts asking for a variety of supplements from the vitamin stores. It is important not to just shrug your child’s interest in these items off to swiftly. Listen to their requests and tell them that you will check into the benefits and potential side effects that come along with starting a supplement program. By not telling them no right away, you will potentially prevent the child from defying you and purchasing the supplements without your consent. Many supplements are not age specific and can be sold to any customer regardless of their ages. Your best bet is to research the supplement your child is interested in taking and sharing all the information directly with your child. If you find they supplement may do more damage than good, try and find another supplement that offers similar benefits without the harmful side effects. Putting the effort into this will pay off in two ways. First it builds a circle of trust between you and your child by opening a healthy dialogue about which supplements are beneficial and which one will cause harm. Second, it will educate you and your child so that you both can pass on your wisdom to other who may be involved in similar discussions. We have all heard about the major league baseball players who have died from using excessive amounts of fat burners and creatine products. Don’t let your child become one of the victims of supplements side effects. Take an active role in their supplementation plans in order to reduce the risk of a potentially life threatening effect.
For years now we have given ample attention to eating and body image disorders that effect females on a daily basis, My reason for writing this article is not to detract from those issues that girls face but rather to shine the light on a problem plaguing young boys for years and years. On a personal note, I know exactly what it is like to suffer from this disorder. It has taken me years and cost me hundreds of dollars to combat BDD and my battle still is not over. Guys are overwhelmed by images of guys who have perfect bodies but no one tells us what sacrifices must be made in order to achieve those unrealistic physiques. Please remember this is not something that can be cured in a matter of months. It takes constant effort and reinforcement of positive, healthy behaviors. There will come a point where you will no longer be required to instill those values in your sons at a young age. Do what you can now to show them what healthy living and realistic body expectations are all about so they will be less influenced by mainstream media. Practice what you preach and if you are ever in doubt, please don’t hesitate to email me with questions or concerns. For more information about BDD, check out the book “Adonis Complex” written by Harrison Pope, Katherine A. Phillips and Roberto Olivardia. It is a great resource and will give you an incredible insight into the world of BDD. I hope this helps you all in some way, shape or form.
Christopher Hillery has been a Certified Personal Trainer for 9 years and is the owner of Transformer Fitness in Phoenix, Arizona. He was once an overweight child and knows first- hand how the effects of being overweight can be damaging. It is his goal to help overweight children and adults develop lasting healthy habits and a positive body image. Chris can design a full workout program for parents and children which can include a nutrition program, along with equipment to use at home. He can be reached via email at: christopher_hillery@yahoo.com
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