Recent research indicates that the use of protein shakes, pre-workout mixes, and other dietary supplements among adolescents and young adults may be linked to a body image disorder known as muscle dysmorphia. This condition is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with muscle development and leanness. Dr. Kyle Ganson, the lead author of the study and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, highlights that the use of various muscle-building supplements, including whey protein and creatine, is associated with increased symptoms of muscle dysmorphia.
The study, published in the journal PLOS Mental Health, analyzed data from 2,731 participants aged 16 to 30, focusing on their supplement usage and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia. The findings revealed a strong correlation between the use of weight-gain supplements and the severity of symptoms, such as spending excessive time at the gym and obsessively monitoring food intake. However, it is important to note that the study is observational, making it difficult to determine whether supplement use causes muscle dysmorphia or if individuals with muscle dysmorphia are more inclined to use these supplements.
Muscle dysmorphia is a specific type of body dysmorphic disorder, where individuals perceive their bodies as inadequate, often believing they need to be leaner and more muscular. Dr. Ganson explains that those suffering from this disorder may face significant social challenges and emotional distress. Even achieving their ideal body image does not alleviate their dissatisfaction, as they often see themselves differently than others do. Warning signs of muscle dysmorphia include rigid exercise routines, emotional distress, and avoidance of social situations due to body image concerns.
The use of supplements to alter one’s appearance is widespread, with a significant percentage of young adult males reporting the use of protein powders and other muscle-building substances. However, many of these supplements lack regulation, leading to potential health risks. Dr. Jason Nagata, a co-author of the study, points out that some supplements may be mislabeled or contaminated with harmful substances. Furthermore, the use of legal muscle-building supplements can sometimes lead to the use of anabolic steroids, which pose serious health risks.
Addressing muscle dysmorphia requires challenging the unrealistic ideals often perpetuated by social media, especially among teenagers. Dr. Nagata emphasizes the need for awareness regarding the impact of social media on body image and the promotion of muscle-building supplements. Effective treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy to help individuals reframe their perceptions and, in some cases, medications for related mental health issues. Families, healthcare professionals, and sports coaches play a crucial role in recognizing the signs of muscle dysmorphia and supporting those affected by it.
Original news source: Muscle-building supplements may put teens at risk for a body image disorder, study finds (CNN)
🎧 Listen:
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📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | adolescents | Young people in the process of developing from a child into an adult |
| 2 | preoccupation | An excessive concern or focus on something |
| 3 | correlation | A mutual relationship or connection between two or more things |
| 4 | severity | The intensity or seriousness of something |
| 5 | observational | Based on observation rather than experimentation or theory |
| 6 | inadequate | Not sufficient or satisfactory; lacking |
| 7 | alleviate | To make a problem or condition less severe |
| 8 | rigid | Strict and inflexible |
| 9 | widespread | Found or distributed over a large area or number of people |
| 10 | regulation | The act of controlling or managing something according to rules |
| 11 | contaminated | Made impure by exposure to harmful substances |
| 12 | anabolic | Relating to the process of building up, especially in terms of muscle growth |
| 13 | perpetuated | Continued or maintained over time |
| 14 | cognitive | Relating to mental processes such as thinking and understanding |
| 15 | reframe | To change the way something is viewed or considered |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– CHARADES
Instructions: Students will act out various terms and phrases related to the article, such as “muscle dysmorphia,” “protein shakes,” and “anabolic steroids” without speaking, while their classmates guess what they are. This will help them familiarize themselves with the vocabulary.
– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and ask them to discuss their opinions on dietary supplements and their effects on body image. After the discussion, each group will share their conclusions with the class, encouraging a debate on the topic.
– THINK-PAIR-SHARE
Instructions: Pose a thought-provoking question related to the article, such as “What do you think are the causes of muscle dysmorphia in young adults?” Students will first think individually, then pair up to share their thoughts, and finally share their insights with the whole class, promoting collaborative discussion.
– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Students will work in pairs to create catchy headlines that summarize the main points of the article. After they create their headlines, each pair will share their ideas with the class, allowing for a variety of perspectives on the topic.
– SPEED SUMMARIZING
Instructions: Set a timer for two minutes and have students summarize the article in pairs. After the time is up, they will switch partners and summarize the article again. This will help them practice concise communication and reinforce the article’s key points.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What is muscle dysmorphia, and how does it affect individuals’ perceptions of their bodies?
2. How did the study published in PLOS Mental Health gather data on supplement usage and muscle dysmorphia symptoms?
3. What correlation did the findings reveal regarding weight-gain supplements and muscle dysmorphia symptoms?
4. What challenges do individuals with muscle dysmorphia face in their social lives, according to Dr. Ganson?
5. What are some warning signs of muscle dysmorphia mentioned in the article?
6. Why is there concern about the regulation of dietary supplements used by young adults?
7. How can social media contribute to the development of muscle dysmorphia among teenagers?
8. What treatment options are suggested for individuals suffering from muscle dysmorphia, and who plays a role in supporting them?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Recent research indicates that the use of protein shakes, pre-workout mixes, and other dietary supplements among (1)______ and young adults may be linked to a body image disorder known as muscle dysmorphia. This condition is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with muscle development and leanness. Dr. Kyle Ganson, the lead author of the (2)______ and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, highlights that the use of various muscle-building supplements, (3)______ whey protein and (4)______, is associated with increased symptoms of muscle dysmorphia.
The study, published in the journal PLOS Mental Health, analyzed data from 2,731 participants aged 16 to 30, focusing on their supplement usage and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia. The findings revealed a strong correlation between the use of weight-gain supplements and the severity of symptoms, such as spending excessive time at the gym and obsessively monitoring food intake. However, it is important to note that the study is (5)______, making it (6)______ to (7)______ whether supplement use causes muscle dysmorphia or if (8)______ with muscle dysmorphia are more inclined to use these supplements.
Muscle dysmorphia is a specific type of body dysmorphic disorder, where individuals perceive their bodies as inadequate, often believing they need to be leaner and more muscular. Dr. Ganson explains that those suffering from this disorder may face significant social challenges and emotional distress. Even achieving their ideal body image does not alleviate their dissatisfaction, as they often see themselves differently than others do. Warning signs of muscle dysmorphia include rigid (9)______ routines, emotional distress, and avoidance of social (10)______ due to body image concerns.
The use of supplements to alter one’s appearance is widespread, with a (11)______ percentage of young adult males reporting the use of protein powders and other muscle-building (12)______. However, many of these supplements lack regulation, leading to potential health risks. Dr. Jason Nagata, a co-author of the study, points out that some supplements may be mislabeled or contaminated with harmful substances. Furthermore, the use of legal (13)______-building supplements can sometimes lead to the use of anabolic steroids, which pose serious health risks.
Addressing muscle dysmorphia (14)______ challenging the unrealistic ideals often perpetuated by social media, especially among teenagers. Dr. Nagata emphasizes the need for awareness regarding the (15)______ of social media on body image and the promotion of muscle-building supplements. Effective treatment (16)______ include cognitive behavioral therapy to help individuals reframe their perceptions and, in some cases, medications for related mental health issues. Families, healthcare professionals, and sports coaches play a crucial role in recognizing the signs of muscle dysmorphia and supporting those affected by it.
Go to answers ⇩
💬 Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your opinion on the use of dietary supplements among young adults? Do you think they are beneficial or harmful? Why?
2. How would you feel if you or someone close to you struggled with muscle dysmorphia?
3. Do you think social media plays a significant role in shaping body image perceptions? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever felt pressured to look a certain way due to societal standards? How did that affect you?
5. What is a healthy approach to fitness and body image, in your opinion?
6. How would you respond if a friend expressed dissatisfaction with their body image?
7. Do you think it’s possible to achieve a balance between fitness goals and mental health? Why or why not?
8. What is your experience with exercise routines? Do you think they can become obsessive? Why or why not?
9. How do you think families can better support young adults dealing with body image issues?
10. Do you like the idea of using supplements to enhance physical performance? Why or why not?
11. How would you feel if you discovered that a supplement you were using was unsafe or mislabeled?
12. Do you think educational programs about body image should be implemented in schools? Why or why not?
13. What is a common misconception about body image that you think needs to be addressed?
14. How do you think mental health professionals can effectively help individuals with muscle dysmorphia?
15. Do you believe that achieving an “ideal” body image can lead to happiness? Why or why not?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. adolescents
2. preoccupation
3. correlation
4. severity
5. observational
6. inadequate
7. alleviate
8. rigid
9. widespread
10. regulation
11. contaminated
12. anabolic
13. perpetuated
14. cognitive
15. reframe
Meanings:
(A) Young people in the process of developing from a child into an adult
(B) Based on observation rather than experimentation or theory
(C) A mutual relationship or connection between two or more things
(D) An excessive concern or focus on something
(E) Not sufficient or satisfactory; lacking
(F) The intensity or seriousness of something
(G) Found or distributed over a large area or number of people
(H) To make a problem or condition less severe
(I) Relating to mental processes such as thinking and understanding
(J) Made impure by exposure to harmful substances
(K) Strict and inflexible
(L) Continued or maintained over time
(M) The act of controlling or managing something according to rules
(N) Relating to the process of building up, especially in terms of muscle growth
(O) To change the way something is viewed or considered
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is muscle dysmorphia characterized by?
(a) A lack of interest in physical fitness
(b) An excessive preoccupation with muscle development and leanness
(c) An obsession with weight loss
(d) A desire to gain weight
2. Who is the lead author of the study on muscle dysmorphia?
(a) Dr. Jason Nagata
(b) Dr. Kyle Ganson
(c) Dr. John Smith
(d) Dr. Emily Johnson
3. What age group did the study analyze for supplement usage and muscle dysmorphia symptoms?
(a) 18 to 25
(b) 20 to 35
(c) 15 to 40
(d) 16 to 30
4. What type of disorder is muscle dysmorphia classified as?
(a) A form of anxiety disorder
(b) A type of eating disorder
(c) A specific type of body dysmorphic disorder
(d) A mood disorder
5. What are some warning signs of muscle dysmorphia?
(a) Rigid exercise routines and emotional distress
(b) Increased appetite and weight gain
(c) Social withdrawal and lack of motivation
(d) Excessive sleep and fatigue
6. What is a potential health risk associated with the use of muscle-building supplements?
(a) Improved cardiovascular health
(b) Enhanced mental clarity
(c) Contamination with harmful substances
(d) Increased energy levels
7. What treatment options are suggested for addressing muscle dysmorphia?
(a) Cognitive behavioral therapy and medications
(b) Surgery and physical therapy
(c) Dietary changes and exercise programs
(d) Herbal supplements and relaxation techniques
8. What role do families and healthcare professionals play in relation to muscle dysmorphia?
(a) Promoting the use of dietary supplements
(b) Encouraging excessive exercise routines
(c) Ignoring the issue to avoid confrontation
(d) Recognizing signs and supporting affected individuals
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. Muscle dysmorphia is characterized by an excessive focus on muscle development and body fat.
2. Recent research suggests a link between dietary supplements and body image concerns in adolescents and young adults.
3. Warning signs of muscle dysmorphia include rigid exercise routines and emotional distress.
4. Many muscle-building supplements lack regulation, which can lead to health risks.
5. Muscle dysmorphia is a specific type of body dysmorphic disorder.
6. Effective treatment options for muscle dysmorphia include cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes for related mental health issues.
7. The study analyzed data from 2,731 participants aged 16 to 30 regarding their dietary habits.
8. There is a strong correlation between weight-gain supplement use and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia.
Go to answers ⇩
📝 Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!
1. What is muscle dysmorphia and how does it affect individuals’ perceptions of their bodies?
2. What correlation did the study find between supplement usage and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia among young adults?
3. What are some warning signs of muscle dysmorphia that individuals and their families should be aware of?
4. How can social media contribute to the development of muscle dysmorphia in teenagers?
5. What treatment options are suggested for individuals suffering from muscle dysmorphia?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What is muscle dysmorphia, and how does it affect individuals’ perceptions of their bodies?
Muscle dysmorphia is a specific type of body dysmorphic disorder characterized by an excessive preoccupation with muscle development and leanness. Individuals with this condition perceive their bodies as inadequate, often believing they need to be leaner and more muscular, leading to significant social challenges and emotional distress.
2. How did the study published in PLOS Mental Health gather data on supplement usage and muscle dysmorphia symptoms?
The study analyzed data from 2,731 participants aged 16 to 30, focusing on their supplement usage and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia.
3. What correlation did the findings reveal regarding weight-gain supplements and muscle dysmorphia symptoms?
The findings revealed a strong correlation between the use of weight-gain supplements and the severity of muscle dysmorphia symptoms, such as spending excessive time at the gym and obsessively monitoring food intake.
4. What challenges do individuals with muscle dysmorphia face in their social lives, according to Dr. Ganson?
Individuals with muscle dysmorphia face significant social challenges and emotional distress, often avoiding social situations due to their body image concerns.
5. What are some warning signs of muscle dysmorphia mentioned in the article?
Warning signs of muscle dysmorphia include rigid exercise routines, emotional distress, and avoidance of social situations due to body image concerns.
6. Why is there concern about the regulation of dietary supplements used by young adults?
There is concern about the regulation of dietary supplements because many of these products lack regulation, which can lead to potential health risks, such as being mislabeled or contaminated with harmful substances.
7. How can social media contribute to the development of muscle dysmorphia among teenagers?
Social media can contribute to the development of muscle dysmorphia by perpetuating unrealistic ideals of body image, which may influence teenagers’ perceptions of themselves and their bodies.
8. What treatment options are suggested for individuals suffering from muscle dysmorphia, and who plays a role in supporting them?
Suggested treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy to help individuals reframe their perceptions and, in some cases, medications for related mental health issues. Families, healthcare professionals, and sports coaches play a crucial role in recognizing the signs of muscle dysmorphia and supporting those affected by it.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) adolescents
(2) study
(3) including
(4) creatine
(5) observational
(6) difficult
(7) determine
(8) individuals
(9) exercise
(10) situations
(11) significant
(12) substances
(13) muscle
(14) requires
(15) impact
(16) options
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. adolescents
Answer: (A) Young people in the process of developing from a child into an adult
2. preoccupation
Answer: (D) An excessive concern or focus on something
3. correlation
Answer: (C) A mutual relationship or connection between two or more things
4. severity
Answer: (F) The intensity or seriousness of something
5. observational
Answer: (B) Based on observation rather than experimentation or theory
6. inadequate
Answer: (E) Not sufficient or satisfactory; lacking
7. alleviate
Answer: (H) To make a problem or condition less severe
8. rigid
Answer: (K) Strict and inflexible
9. widespread
Answer: (G) Found or distributed over a large area or number of people
10. regulation
Answer: (M) The act of controlling or managing something according to rules
11. contaminated
Answer: (J) Made impure by exposure to harmful substances
12. anabolic
Answer: (N) Relating to the process of building up, especially in terms of muscle growth
13. perpetuated
Answer: (L) Continued or maintained over time
14. cognitive
Answer: (I) Relating to mental processes such as thinking and understanding
15. reframe
Answer: (O) To change the way something is viewed or considered
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What is muscle dysmorphia characterized by?
Answer: (b) An excessive preoccupation with muscle development and leanness
2. Who is the lead author of the study on muscle dysmorphia?
Answer: (b) Dr. Kyle Ganson
3. What age group did the study analyze for supplement usage and muscle dysmorphia symptoms?
Answer: (d) 16 to 30
4. What type of disorder is muscle dysmorphia classified as?
Answer: (c) A specific type of body dysmorphic disorder
5. What are some warning signs of muscle dysmorphia?
Answer: (a) Rigid exercise routines and emotional distress
6. What is a potential health risk associated with the use of muscle-building supplements?
Answer: (c) Contamination with harmful substances
7. What treatment options are suggested for addressing muscle dysmorphia?
Answer: (a) Cognitive behavioral therapy and medications
8. What role do families and healthcare professionals play in relation to muscle dysmorphia?
Answer: (d) Recognizing signs and supporting affected individuals
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. Muscle dysmorphia is characterized by an excessive focus on muscle development and body fat. (Answer: False)
2. Recent research suggests a link between dietary supplements and body image concerns in adolescents and young adults. (Answer: False)
3. Warning signs of muscle dysmorphia include rigid exercise routines and emotional distress. (Answer: True)
4. Many muscle-building supplements lack regulation, which can lead to health risks. (Answer: True)
5. Muscle dysmorphia is a specific type of body dysmorphic disorder. (Answer: True)
6. Effective treatment options for muscle dysmorphia include cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes for related mental health issues. (Answer: False)
7. The study analyzed data from 2,731 participants aged 16 to 30 regarding their dietary habits. (Answer: False)
8. There is a strong correlation between weight-gain supplement use and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
