Consumption of food supplements: is there a risk of muscle dysmorphia?

Abstract

Background. Bigorexia is an eating disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder where the subject has an incorrect perception of their body image with exercise addiction. This study aims to determine whether there is a relationship between body mass index (BMI), food supplement consumption, dietary adherence, gender and risk of muscle dysmorphia in the individual and to provide information to build recommendation systems to monitor the health and mental state of the population. Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted in Barranquilla (Colombia) between February – May 2020. A face-to-face survey of 200 individuals of both sexes was used in which users evaluated different variables that helped to identify their risk of muscle dysmorphia. Results. Of the 200 participants, 105 men: N=48, 45.7% vs. women: N=57, 54.3%) consume nutritional supplements. There is no relationship in the total population with the risk of muscle dysmorphia with the consumption of nutritional supplements nor with the feeling of guilt for non-adherence to the diet, nor with age, gender, or BMI (p<0.05). In contrast, gender, age and BMI are related to nutritional supplement consumption, and gender is related to feelings of guilt for non-adherence to the diet. In the population that consumes nutritional supplements the risk of muscle dysmorphia is increased and the frequency varies by risk group: low risk: N=16, 15.2%; medium risk: N=46, 43.8%; high risk: N=28, 26.7%; and very high risk: N=15, 14.3%. The consumption of food supplements is higher in the female gender (57, 54.3% vs. 48, 45.7%), and moderate the feeling of guilt for not completing the diet, BMI and the risk of muscle dysmorphia. Conclusions. Women consume more food supplements, but gender does not determine the risk of muscle dysmorphia. Food supplement consumption influences the feeling of guilt for not completing the diet, BMI and the risk of muscle dysmorphia.