"Megarexia"

Until we read and talked about it in class, I had never heard of “megarexia.” It’s basically the opposite of anorexia, which is where people can’t get small enough to please themselves or satisfy what they think their image should be. One health and wellness website defines megarexia with the following:

“Megarexia is a problem caused predominantly in males, and is the opposite of anorexia. People suffering megarexia see themselves as too thin and too weak. They become obsessed with eating, exercising, and using supplements and steroids in an attempt to build their physique. They carry around a distorted image of themselves, as no matter how big they get, it is never big enough. Megarexia is common amongst men suffering low self esteem. They devote their spare time to excessive weight lifting, eating the right foods and using drugs.”
(The entire article can be found HERE.)

I had thought that women had the market on eating disorders, but I was wrong. In today’s society, there is a lot of pressure on young men to be as big as the movie stars, athletes, and bodybuilders that they see on TV. With role modes like Arnold Schwarzenegger, it’s no wonder that young men feel the need to take steroids and “buff up.” Just like the image of the “ideal” female body (slim and tight) is forced on young girls today, the “ideal” male body (very muscular and trim) is showcased everywhere in our daily lives.

While I think it’s great that society encourages young men to get in shape, I think that it is taken way too far. People place so much importance on outward appearances, and not only for health reasons. If boys continue to get the message that they are never big enough, fit enough, or strong enough, they will resort to using potentially harmful steroids to get big enough, fit enough, and strong enough. If we keep pressuring men to be bigger, where will it stop? When is big, big enough?