Men and adolescent boys are increasingly at risk of resorting to the dangerous use of anabolic steroids in a bid to achieve the desired muscular build modelled on social media.
This is according to a study – “Relationships between social media, body image, physical activity, and anabolic-androgenic steroid use in men: A systematic review” by N. Beos, E. Kemps and I. Prichard – that was published in Psychology of Men & Masculinities.
“The ideal male body in Western society is simultaneously very lean and very muscular, with a V-shaped figure and emphasis on large arms, shoulders and chest,” said senior author Associate Professor Ivanka Prichard from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. “There is pressure on men and adolescent boys to not only meet this appearance ideal but to also be physically strong, as this is intrinsically linked to masculinity.”
The researchers used data from six electronic databases to compile the review with studies looking at either general social media use, appearance-related social media behaviors, or exposure to social media content. Using a novel approach, the review focused specifically on male samples and broadened the outcomes to include the appearance-altering behaviors of physical activity and anabolic-androgenic steroid use to explore the relationships between social media and body image.
The study’s findings included:
- Exposure to social media posts depicting ideal muscular male bodies is directly linked to a negative body image and greater odds of resorting to anabolic-androgenic steroid use.
- Among bodybuilding enthusiasts, the term “natty,” short for “natural,” symbolizes a commitment to achieving fitness goals without the aid of synthetic substances such as steroids. However, even within these communities, social media’s pervasive influence can contribute to a heightened pressure to conform to unrealistic body ideals, particularly those characterized by a lean and muscular physique.
“We found that time spent on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, engaging in online appearance-related behaviors, and being exposed to appearance-related social media content were linked to a negative body image and/or thoughts of using anabolic-androgenic steroids,” said lead author Nepheli Beos from the College of Psychology, Education and Social Work. “It was clear that appearance-related social media use is related to a more negative body image and greater odds of anabolic-androgenic steroid use in men.”
In the end, “we need to consider the implications of media consumption on men’s health and self-perception, so we can develop a more supportive environment where body image concerns can be addressed constructively,” Beos said.
