Determination of the relationship between bigorexia and nutritional status in men

This study aimed to investigate the susceptibility to muscle dysmorphia and nutritional status among male individuals aged 18-45 who were engaged in bodybuilding in Adana city centre from 2023 to 2024. A total of 60 male participants voluntarily took part in the study. The susceptibility to muscle dysmorphia was evaluated using the Muscle Dysmorphia Disorder Inventory (MDDI), and participants who scored 39 or higher were classified as "bigorectic", while those with a score below 39 were classified as "non-bigorectic". Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS IBM v20.0 and Jamovi software. Participants' dietary intake data were collected using a three-day food record method and analysed with the Nutrition Information System (BeBis®) software. The participants in the study were divided into two groups based on their predisposition to bigorexia. The bigorexic group consisted of 32 individuals (53.3%), while the non-bigorexic group included 28 individuals (46.7%). The median age of the bigorexic individuals was calculated as 26,5 years, whereas it was 260 years in the non-bigorexic group, with no statistically significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). The median height of bigorexic individuals was determined to be 180 cm, while it was 177 cm in the non-bigorexic group, and this difference was found to be statistically significant (p=0.007). Similarly, the median body weight of bigorexic individuals was 87.41 kg, whereas it was 80,0 kg in the non-bigorexic group, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.007). The results indicated that the energy (2,769±465 kcal) and protein (178±56.0 g) intakes of bigorectic individuals were significantly higher compared to non-bigorectic individuals (2,136±367 kcal energy, 105±31.2 g protein) (p<0.001). Cholesterol intake was also found to be significantly higher in bigorectic individuals (1,264±682 mg) compared to non-bigorectic individuals (578±466 mg) (p<0.001). Furthermore, 65.6% of bigorectic individuals reported experiencing disruptions in their social and professional lives due to their involvement in bodybuilding, while only 10.7% of non-bigorectic individuals reported similar issues (p<0.05). Additionally, the prevalence of supplement use, including protein powder (71.9%), BCAA (59.4%), and creatine (62.5%), was notably higher among bigorectic individuals. The findings suggest that muscle dysmorphia represents a significant health concern, particularly among individuals engaged in bodybuilding, warranting attention in clinical and public health contexts. In this regard, early diagnosis, awareness campaigns, and the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach are crucial for addressing this issue. Keywords: Bodybuilding, eating disorders, muscle dysmorphia, muscle dysmorphia disorder, nutrition