Overuse of muscle-building products associated with body image condition

Muscle-building supplements are increasingly popular with teen boys and young men.

Muscle-building supplements are increasingly popular with teen boys and young men. New research suggests overuse of products like whey powder or creatine may be affecting young people’s mental health as well as their their physical health.

A Canadian study, published Wednesday in the journal PLOS Mental Health, finds that young people who consume multiple muscle-building products are more likely to show symptoms of a condition called muscle dysphoria.

About 2,730 Canadian teens and adults ages 16–30, mostly white males and females, were recruited via Instagram and Snapchat advertisements. They were asked about their use of six different common workout products — amino acids, creatine monohydrate, pre-workout drinks or powders, protein bars, weight or mass gainers, and whey protein shakes or powders. Protein bars were the most commonly consumed, followed by whey protein shakes or powders and creatine.

The study also asked about body image, asking for responses to statements such as, “I feel like I have too much body fat” or “I feel depressed when I miss one or more workout days.”

Whether they used supplements or not, 26% of the boys and men scored above the level for muscle dysmorphia — that is, being extremely preoccupied with a perceived lack of muscle mass or tone.