Bigorexia in Teenagers: When Fitness Becomes an Obsession

Bigorexia, commonly known as body dysmorphia, is a form of body disorder in which a person becomes excessively preoccupied with their appearance, particularly with the belief that they are not muscular or lean enough. The person with this condition spends hours checking their body, comparing themselves with others and worrying about how they look, even when others see little or no flaw. This can lead to heightened stress and anxiety, along with an obsessive focus on gym workouts, muscle building and diet plans. While fitness and strength training can be healthy, the growing pressure to achieve a certain physique is raising concerns about body image among teenagers and young adults.

How Body Image Concerns Can Lead to Bigorexia

During adolescence, teenagers naturally become more conscious of their physical appearance as their bodies go through significant changes. Some may gain weight, while others may remain naturally thin, and these changes can sometimes become a source of insecurity. Social media, unrealistic fitness standards and constant comparison with others can further intensify these concerns, making teenagers feel that their bodies are not good enough even when they are healthy.

Going to the gym and working on one's fitness can be a healthy habit. However, when exercise becomes an obsession, the line between healthy fitness and unhealthy behaviour can begin to blur. Missing a day at the gym and experiencing intense guilt, constantly worrying about one's appearance, following increasingly restrictive diet plans or allowing concerns about body image to interfere with studies, work, social life or relationships may indicate a more serious problem such as muscle dysmorphia.

“This can become linked to perfectionism, or the pressure to fit a certain image. In some cases, boys may become overtly focused on gaining muscle. However, what is more worrying is when it becomes extreme and takes the form of a mental health issue. No amount of reassurance can remove this thought from the mind. This often results from chemical changes in the brain, genetics, bullying, or perfectionist personality traits. It may also go to the extent of demanding cosmetic surgery.” Surg Commodore (Dr.) Sunil Goyal (Retd), senior consultant- Psychiatry at Sarvodaya Hospital, Sector-8, Faridabad.

Emotional and psychological symptoms

According to Dr. Rahul Chandhok, Senior Consultant and Head of Psychiatry at Artemis Hospitals, common signs include:

• Constant dissatisfaction: Feeling “not muscular enough” despite having a healthy physique.
• Low self-esteem: Self-worth becoming heavily dependent on appearance.
• Anxiety and guilt: Intense distress over missing workouts or deviating from a diet.
• Social withdrawal: Avoiding social situations where their body may be seen or judged.
• Obsessive thoughts: Constantly thinking about muscles, workouts, diet and appearance.
• Mood changes: Irritability, sadness or frustration when appearance goals are not met.

When Should We Be Concerned?

Fitness becomes a concern when exercise and body image start taking over a teenager’s life. Warning signs include compulsive workouts, constant mirror checking, body comparisons and excessive focus on protein or supplements. Feeling intense guilt after missing a workout is another sign. If these concerns affect studies, relationships or daily life, professional help may be needed. If you know someone showing these signs, reach out without judgment and encourage them to seek support.

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