Insight (1995)

Massive Obsession (2012x2)

: 28, 2012

Young men and the pressure for massive muscles. How far is too far in the pursuit of the perfect body? Anecdotal evidence suggests that younger and younger men are walking through the doors of gyms, sometimes using fake ID to get in. Some are spending big dollars on supplements containing protein, caffeine and other substances, which increase their heart rate and can affect their moods. Even the supplement industry itself says there should be more regulation of their products. At the more extreme end, doctors say they are seeing a growing number of men electing to use steroids and performance enhancing drugs in the quest to be bigger. Obsession with appearance can lead to debilitating disorders, such as body dysmorphic disorder and muscle dysmorphia – also referred to as reverse anorexia or 'bigorexia’. Insight looks at the male quest for physical perfection, asking when a healthy lifestyle tips over into becoming a pathological obsession.