Boys’ Body Dissatisfaction

By Dr Charlotte Markey

It’s known that girls can show an awareness of dieting by the time they start primary school. Meanwhile, many boys feel they should be bigger, more muscular, more ‘manly.’ While this is a sign of body dissatisfaction, it tends to fly under the radar or go unnoticed by adults because it’s disguised as ‘getting healthy.’

Body dissatisfaction is not a superficial concern as it impacts health behaviours, social interactions and mental health in general.

Research indicates that boys and girls are almost equally likely to experience body dissatisfaction. Where girls might focus on weight loss diets, boys are apt to over-exercise, cut sugar or carbs (or both) from their diets and become consumed with their health.

Most parents aren’t likely to be concerned if their son decides to skip dessert or spend time lifting weights. If this shift in habits also coincides with puberty, it can be difficult to tell if a boy is getting leaner, broad-shouldered or just taller.

In other words, the typical parent may not be able to tell if there is a problem brewing or just normal teen development taking place. Still, this change in habits should be a red flag to keep an eye out for body dissatisfaction or even the emergence of disordered eating.

How do you know when your son has a problem or is just genuinely becoming more responsible for his health?

Boys should be gaining weight through puberty, not losing weight. If you notice your son losing weight, an appointment with a family doctor is in order. It’s also important that health consciousness doesn’t interfere with enjoyment of food. If your son is rigid in his eating habits and won’t have a treat at a birthday party or refuses to participate in social activities that involve food, it’s likely there’s a problem. Further, supplement use (eg protein powder) is often indicative of real body image concerns.

Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating can become chronic and dangerous, interfering with health and development.

Treatment is more effective when problems are caught early. When in doubt, it’s best to seek guidance from a professional with relevant expertise, such as a registered dietitian or therapist.

A balanced diet

It’s a popular misconception that boys and men need significantly more protein than girls and women. Furthermore, many people (um, boys) believe that they are protein deficient and that extra protein will help them to build muscle.

Nearly everyone gets plenty of protein, however, and any additional protein consumed can’t be used by the body; it will simply pass through. Some research suggests that men often eat too much protein and not enough fruit and vegetables. A balanced diet is a better and safer source of nutrition, given that regulation of supplements is spotty to non-existent.

If your son asks you to buy protein foods or make more protein-rich meals, explain how it’s important to eat a variety of foods and that the diet and supplement industry profit from our insecurities. If his goal is growth, health or even muscle, a varied diet is more important than protein.

With knowledge of what constitutes a healthy diet and body, boys will be better able to make informed decisions and act on them accordingly.

Charlotte Markey PhD is a professor of psychology and chair of the health sciences department at Rutgers University, USA. Her latest book, Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys, is published by Cambridge University Press.