Boys' body image issues overlooked - expert

Distorted body image among adolescent boys us under-reported, an expert says. Photo / Thinkstock

Male teenagers who perceive themselves as too thin or too fat when they're actually a perfectly healthy weight are more likely to develop depression, according to a new study.

The research by the American Psychological Association also found that teens who believe that they're underweight and are bullied because of it are more likely to use steroids, found a second study.

The lead researcher behind both studies believes that his work proves how distorted body image is prevalent amongst boys as well as girls but often gets overlooked.

Speaking about his two pieces of research, Aaron Blashill, PhD, staff psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and faculty member at Harvard Medical School, said: "These studies highlight the often under-reported issue of distorted body image among adolescent boys.

"Teenage girls tend to internalise and strive for a thin appearance, whereas teenage boys tend to emphasise a more muscular body type. We found that some of these boys who feel they are unable to achieve that often unattainable image are suffering and may be taking drastic measures."

His study looked at 2,139 16-year-old boys in 1996 who were followed for 13 years.

The boys were asked to rate their current weight ranging from "very underweight" to "very overweight", which researchers compared to the participants' BMI.

Those who perceived themselves as far too skinny, but were an average weight or higher, were the ones with the highest level of depressive symptoms

His second study found that 4 per cent of the participants who inaccurately perceived themselves as underweight admitted to using steroids.

"Unfortunately, there is little evidence-based research on effective therapies for steroid use among adolescent boys," he said.

"However, cognitive-behavioral therapy has proven to be effective for body image concerns and could be helpful for boys considering using or already using steroids."

He advises clinicians working with depressed teenage boys who feel they are being bullied for their underweight appearance should be mindful of steroid use.

- DAILY MAIL